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

Speaking out in opposition to the measures is about supporting McBride, who is “a serious legislator” and wants to get to work on a range of tough issues without having to worry about where she can get to a toilet, Balint said.

From Los Angeles Times

This week, the police department in Monterey, California, released records of a sexual assault allegation against Hegseth in 2017, following a conference of Republican women at which Hegseth was speaking.

From Slate

Former Australia batter Mike Hussey, speaking on TNT Sports, was effusive in his praise for Jaiswal: "I wanted to see him in Australia, on bouncy pitches, to see how he'd handle it, but this innings shows he can handle any conditions around the world."

From BBC

Elder statesman Ice-T is also OK that he’s no longer speaking to the youth.

From Los Angeles Times

And speaking of harbingers of doom, here’s a paragraph from a Talking Points Memo story about secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth, a 44-year-old Fox News personality with no significant leadership experience who has been married three times and was accused of sexually assaulting a woman he met at a conference in 2017.

From Slate