speaking

[ spee-king ]

noun

1. the act, utterance, or discourse of a person who speaks.
2. speakings, literary works composed for recitation, as ancient bardic poetry; oral literature.

adjective

1. that speaks.
2. used in, suited to, or involving speaking or talking:

   the speaking voice.

3. of or relating to declamation.
4. giving information as if by speech:

   a speaking proof of a thing.

5. highly expressive:

   speaking eyes.

6. lifelike:

   a speaking likeness.

speaking

/ ˈspiːkɪŋ /

adjective

1. prenominal eloquent, impressive, or striking
2. 1. able to speak
   2. in combination able to speak a particular language

      French-speaking

Other Words From

• speaking·ly adverb
• speaking·ness noun
• non·speaking adjective
• well-speaking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of speaking¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; speak, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. not on speaking terms, not or no longer in a relationship of open, willing, or ready communication, as because of resentment or estrangement:

   They had a squabble during the holidays, and now they're not on speaking terms.

2. on speaking terms,
   1. in a relationship close enough for or limited to friendly superficialities:

      I don't know the hosts well, but we are certainly on speaking terms.

   2. in a relationship of open, willing, or ready communication:

      Now that the debt has been settled, I hope you and your partner are on speaking terms again.

Example Sentences

Genetics alone does not an eating disorder make, generally speaking, and Bulik points out that environment still plays a role.

From The Daily Beast

Speaking to a local radio station today Antonella Ramelli said the video gives her hope.

From The Daily Beast

But this may be a distinction without much of a difference—especially since Scalise admitted speaking before EURO.

From The Daily Beast

“Mona Iraqi is responsible for 25 families losing their lives,” he said, speaking figuratively.

From The Daily Beast

Speaking of the literature you love, the Bloomsbury writers crop up in your collection repeatedly.

From The Daily Beast

"Now I have a larger place for you," the boy said, speaking just as though Squinty could understand him.

From Project Gutenberg

We were speaking of the faculty of mimicry, and he told me such a funny little anecdote about Chopin.

From Project Gutenberg

The rightly cultivated expressive voice is the man—speaking.

From Project Gutenberg

It is ordinarily considered that the range of the speaking voice is very limited as compared with the singer's range.

From Project Gutenberg

Broadly speaking, the new money will be altogether too good to meet this particular need.

From Project Gutenberg