spoke

¹

[ spohk ]

verb

1. a simple past tense of speak.
2. Nonstandard. a past participle of speak.
3. Archaic. a past participle of speak.

spoke

²

[ spohk ]

noun

1. one of the bars, rods, or rungs radiating from the hub or nave of a wheel and supporting the rim or felloe.
2. something that resembles the spoke of a wheel.
3. a handlelike projection from the rim of a wheel, as a ship's steering wheel.
4. a rung of a ladder.

verb (used with object)

, spoked, spok·ing.

1. to fit or furnish with or as with spokes.

spoke

¹

/ spəʊk /

noun

1. a radial member of a wheel, joining the hub to the rim
2. a radial projection from the rim of a wheel, as in a ship's wheel
3. a rung of a ladder
4. put a spoke in someone's wheel
   to thwart someone's plans

verb

1. tr to equip with or as if with spokes

spoke

²

/ spəʊk /

verb

1. the past tense of speak
2. archaic.
   a past participle of speak

Other Words From

• spokeless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoke¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English spāca; cognate with Dutch speek, German Speiche

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoke¹

Old English spāca

Example Sentences

Several people I spoke to after the screening enjoyed the movie with Jan, a film colourist from Warsaw calling it "a classic western".

From BBC

Standing at more than 6ft tall, many people referred to him as ‘Big Ken’ but he did not speak down to the audience, he spoke in their language and was respected for that.

From BBC

The others spoke to the BBC anonymously on the grounds that they were taking part in ongoing negotiations.

From BBC

Along the way, we spoke to migrants who shared their complicated reasons for putting their lives in the hands of people smugglers.

From BBC

“Yes, I just spoke in the third person about my past self.”

From Los Angeles Times