speechless

[ speech-lis ]

adjective

1. temporarily deprived of speech by strong emotion, physical weakness, exhaustion, etc.:

   speechless with alarm.

   Synonyms: mute

   Antonyms: talkative, voluble, loquacious

2. characterized by absence or loss of speech:

   speechless joy.

   Antonyms: talkative, voluble, loquacious

3. lacking the faculty of speech; dumb.

   Synonyms: mute, silent

   Antonyms: talkative, voluble, loquacious

4. not expressed in speech or words:

   speechless compliments.

5. refraining from speech.

speechless

/ ˈspiːtʃlɪs /

adjective

1. not able to speak
2. temporarily deprived of speech
3. not expressed or able to be expressed in words

   speechless fear

Derived Forms

• ˈspeechlessness, noun
• ˈspeechlessly, adverb

Other Word Forms

• speechless·ly adverb
• speechless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of speechless¹

before 1000; Middle English specheles, Old English spǣclēas. See speech, -less

Example Sentences

“Well, I’m speechless,” he says to fill the silence.

From Los Angeles Times

Ever found yourself speechless in the presence of overwhelming cuteness, like your baby nephew or the cat video you saw on Instagram?

From BBC

Shop manager Nick Reeves said staff were "absolutely speechless" when it instead sold for £56,280.

From BBC

“Kind of speechless right now, I’m not going to lie,” Betts said.

From Los Angeles Times

"This is something I dreamt of and now my dream came true so I'm just, I'm speechless right now."

From BBC

Related Words

• amazed
• dazed
• dumb
• silent