speak

¹

[ speek ]

verb (used without object)

, spoke or (Archaic) spake [speyk]; spo·ken or (Archaic) spoke; speak·ing.

1. to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; talk:

   He was too ill to speak.

2. to communicate vocally; mention:

   to speak to a person about various matters.

3. to converse:

   She spoke with him for an hour.

4. to deliver an address, discourse, etc.:

   to speak at a meeting.

5. to make a statement in written or printed words.
6. to communicate, signify, or disclose something by any means; convey significance:

   The voters have spoken loud and clear.

7. Phonetics. to produce sounds or audible sequences of individual or concatenated sounds of a language, especially through phonation, amplification, and resonance, and through any of a variety of articulatory processes.
8. (of a computer) to express data or other information audibly by means of an audio response unit.
9. to emit a sound, as a musical instrument; make a noise or report.
10. Chiefly British. (of dogs) to bark when ordered.
11. Fox Hunting. (of a hound or pack) to bay on finding a scent.

verb (used with object)

, spoke or (Archaic) spake [speyk]; spo·ken or (Archaic) spoke; speak·ing.

1. to utter vocally and articulately:

   to speak words of praise.

   Synonyms: articulate, pronounce

2. to express or make known with the voice:

   to speak the truth.

   Synonyms: say

3. to declare in writing or printing, or by any means of communication.
4. to make known, indicate, or reveal.

   Synonyms: disclose

5. to use, or be able to use, in oral utterance, as a language:

   to speak French.

6. (of a computer) to express or make known (data, prompts, etc.) by means of an audio response unit.
7. Nautical. to communicate with (a passing vessel) at sea, as by voice or signal:

   We spoke a whaler on the fourth day at sea.

8. Archaic. to speak to or with.

verb phrase

1. to express one's opinion openly and unreservedly:

   He was not afraid to speak out when it was something he believed in strongly.

2. 1. to intercede for or recommend; speak in behalf of.
   2. to express or articulate the views of; represent.
   3. to choose or prefer; have reserved for oneself:

      This item is already spoken for.

3. 1. to address or respond to, as in speech or action:

      The legislature must speak to the issue of gun violence.

   2. to be appealing or relevant to:

      His music speaks to me on a very deep level.

   3. to provide evidence for:

      Our company’s rapid growth speaks to the passion and commitment of our employees.

-speak

²

1. a combining form extracted from newspeak (coined by George Orwell in his novel, 1984 ), used in the formation of compound words, usually derogatory, derisive, or facetious, that denote the style or vocabulary of a discipline, person, era, etc., as specified by the initial element:

   techspeak; artspeak; nukespeak; leetspeak; geek-speak.

speak

¹

/ spiːk /

verb

1. to make (verbal utterances); utter (words)
2. to communicate or express (something) in or as if in words

   I speak the truth

3. intr to deliver a speech, discourse, etc
4. tr to know how to talk in (a language or dialect)

   he does not speak German

5. intr to make a characteristic sound

   the clock spoke

6. intr (of dogs, esp hounds used in hunting) to give tongue; bark
7. tr nautical to hail and converse or communicate with (another vessel) at sea
8. intr (of a musical instrument) to produce a sound
9. intrfoll byfor to be a representative or advocate (of)

   he speaks for all the members

10. on speaking terms
    on good terms; friendly
11. so to speak
    in a manner of speaking; as it were
12. speak one's mind
    to express one's opinions frankly and plainly
13. to speak of
    of a significant or worthwhile nature

    we have had no support to speak of

-speak

²

suffix forming nouns

1. informal.
   the language or jargon of a specific group, organization, or field

   computerspeak

Derived Forms

• ˈspeakable, adjective

Other Words From

• speak·a·ble adjective
• speak·a·ble·ness noun
• speak·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of speak¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English speken, Old English specan, variant of sprecan; cognate with German sprechen ( Old High German sprehhan; compare variant spehhan )

Word History and Origins

Origin of speak¹

Old English specan; related to Old High German spehhan, Middle High German spechten to gossip, Middle Dutch speken; see speech

Origin of speak²

C20: formed on the pattern of newspeak

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. so to speak, to use a manner of speaking; figuratively speaking:

   We still don't have our heads above water, so to speak.

2. speak by the book, to say with great authority or precision:

   I can't speak by the book, but I know this is wrong.

3. speak well for, to be an indication or reflection of (something commendable); testify admirably to:

   Her manners speak well for her upbringing.

4. to speak of, worth mentioning:

   The country has no mineral resources to speak of.

More idioms and phrases containing speak

• actions speak louder than words
• in a manner of speaking
• nothing to speak of
• not to mention (speak of)
• on speaking terms
• so to speak
• to speak of

Synonym Study

Speak, converse, talk mean to make vocal sounds, usually for purposes of communication. To speak often implies conveying information and may apply to anything from an informal remark to a scholarly presentation to a formal address: to speak sharply; to speak before Congress. To converse is to exchange ideas with someone by speaking: to converse with a friend. To talk is a close synonym for to speak but usually refers to less formal situations: to talk about the weather; to talk with a friend.

Example Sentences

I provided them anonymity, including their team and specific job title, so they could speak as candidly as possible.

From Los Angeles Times

She speaks in a soft voice and her answers are modest and unpretentious, though sometimes slightly ironic—a distinctive Galician trait.

From Science Magazine

As a girl, Saada Arbane had her throat cut in an Islamist militant attack that wiped out most of her family, and now communicates through a speaking tube.

From BBC

Throughout your career, you’ve used your platform to champion so many causes, HIV and AIDS, and you’ve spoken out about your love for Jamaica.

From Salon

"We spoke to a number of people in making the Lions appointment, many of whom had been immersed in the county game and there were some very compelling people going through that process," says Barney.

From BBC

Related Words

• chat
• communicate
• convey
• declare
• deliver
• express
• go
• say
• shout
• tell
• utter
• voice
• whisper

More About Speak

What is a basic definition of speak?

Speak means to talk, to give a lecture or speech, or to use your voice to say something. The word speak has many other senses as a verb and is used in several idioms.

Speak is a synonym of talk and means to use words and sounds to communicate. When humans speak with each other, we use language governed by rules to understand each other.

Some birds, such as parrots and ravens, are able to imitate human voices. While they don’t actually understand the words they use, we still say these animals are able to speak.

• Real-life examples: It is very unlikely that you never speak to people. Some people use sign language to communicate because they are unable to speak. If you have a cold or sore throat, it is harder to speak.
• Used in a sentence: My throat hurts, so I am having trouble speaking. 

If someone speaks at an event, they are giving a lecture or speech there. Special guests or honorary lecturers often speak at colleges, scientific conventions, or award ceremonies.

• Used in a sentence: I was in the audience when the president spoke at our college. 

When used as a transitive verb, speak means to use your voice to express something or to say something.

• Real-life examples: Witnesses at trials are expected to speak the truth. In the past, in many countries it was often dangerous to speak against God or the country’s religion. People from France speak French.
• Used in a sentence: I knew the right answer, but I was too nervous to speak the words.

Where does speak come from?

The first records of speak come from before the 900s. It comes from the Old English specan and is related to the Old High German spehhan, also meaning “to speak.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to speak?

• speaker (noun)
• speakable (adjective)
• speakableness (noun)
• speakably (adverb)
• unspeakable (adjective)

What are some synonyms for speak?

• talk
• say
• argue
• plead
• utter

What are some words that share a root or word element with speak? 

• speak up
• speak down to
• speak out
• speak too soon
• speak one’s mind
• speak of the devil
• in a manner of speaking

What are some words that often get used in discussing speak?

• voice
• oral
• words
• language
• communication
• lecture
• speech

How is speak used in real life?

Speak is a very common word that most often means to talk.

Hearing President Biden speak with empathy is a greater relief than I ever could’ve imagined

— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) January 20, 2021

My father really did me a favor when he taught me not to speak to people who don’t want to speak to me first.

— Yelitsa Jean-Charles (@TheYelitsa) November 3, 2020

This weekend on Science Fantastic, our guest is Nobel Laureate, Frank Wilczek, speaking about Newton, Einstein, dark matter and dark energy, and the future of physics.

— Dr. Michio Kaku (@michiokaku) January 14, 2021

Try using speak!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of speak?

A. talk
B. silence
C. say
D. tell