speech

[ speech ]

noun

1. the faculty or power of speaking; oral communication; ability to express one's thoughts and emotions by speech sounds and gesture:

   Losing her speech made her feel isolated from humanity.

   Synonyms: communication, conversation, parley, parlance

2. the act of speaking:

   He expresses himself better in speech than in writing.

3. something that is spoken; an utterance, remark, or declaration:

   We waited for some speech that would indicate her true feelings.

   Synonyms: talk, mention, comment, asseveration, assertion, observation

4. a form of communication in spoken language, made by a speaker before an audience for a given purpose:

   a fiery speech.

   Synonyms: discourse, talk

5. any single utterance of an actor in the course of a play, motion picture, etc.
6. the form of utterance characteristic of a particular people or region; a language or dialect.

   Synonyms: patois, tongue

7. manner of speaking, as of a person:

   Your slovenly speech is holding back your career.

8. a field of study devoted to the theory and practice of oral communication.
9. Archaic. rumor.

speech

/ spiːtʃ /

noun

1. 1. the act or faculty of speaking, esp as possessed by persons

      to have speech with somebody

   2. ( as modifier )

      speech therapy

2. that which is spoken; utterance
3. a talk or address delivered to an audience
4. a person's characteristic manner of speaking
5. a national or regional language or dialect
6. linguistics another word for parole

Other Words From

• self-speech noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of speech¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English speche, Old English spǣc, variant of sprǣc, derivative of sprecan “to speak”; cognate with German Sprache; speak;

Word History and Origins

Origin of speech¹

Old English spēc; related to specan to speak

Synonym Study

Speech, language refer to the means of communication used by people. Speech is the expression of ideas and thoughts by means of articulate vocal sounds, or the faculty of thus expressing ideas and thoughts. Language is a set of conventional signs, not necessarily articulate or even vocal (any set of signs, signals, or symbols that convey meaning, including written words, may be called language): a spoken language. Thus, language is the set of conventions, and speech is the action of putting these to use: He couldn't understand the speech of the natives because it was in a foreign language. Speech, address, oration, harangue are terms for a communication to an audience. Speech is the general word, with no implication of kind or length, or whether planned or not. An address is a rather formal, planned speech, appropriate to a particular subject or occasion. An oration is a polished, rhetorical address, given usually on a notable occasion, that employs eloquence and studied methods of delivery. A harangue is a violent, informal speech, often addressed to a casually assembled audience, and intended to arouse strong feeling (sometimes to lead to mob action).

Example Sentences

But whether or not this is How It Was, it’s easy enough to accept that it’s How It Might Have Been; the production and set pieces feel right, the dialogue is more speech than speeches.

From Los Angeles Times

The Johnson Amendment has long been a topic of debate, with some religious broadcasters and other church-affiliated groups arguing that it infringes on their free speech rights.

From Los Angeles Times

In a retirement speech in September 2023, Milley — who worries about being recalled to active duty and court-martialed under a new Trump administration, according to Woodward’s latest book, “War” — offered an indirect commentary widely presumed to refer to the former president: “We don’t take an oath to a king or a queen, to a tyrant or dictator, or wannabe dictator.”

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Bailey's speech will go on to address the wider UK economy and its lack of growth.

From BBC

Mr Bailey's Mansion House address will come alongside a speech by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who will talk about her plans to shake up the UK pension system in a bid for growth.

From BBC

Related Words

• address
• appeal
• commentary
• debate
• lecture
• paper
• rhetoric
• sermon