speaking

[ spee-king ]
/ ˈspi kɪŋ /

noun

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

adjective

Idioms for speaking

    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.
    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.

Origin of speaking

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at speak, -ing1, -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM speaking

speak·ing·ly, adverb speak·ing·ness, noun non·speak·ing, adjective well-speak·ing, adjective

Words nearby speaking

speak volumes, speakeasy, speaker, speaker of the house, speakerphone, speaking, speaking clock, speaking in tongues, speaking trumpet, speaking tube, speaking type

British Dictionary definitions for nonspeaking (1 of 2)

nonspeaking
/ (nɒnˈspiːkɪŋ) /

adjective

(of a part in a play) not having any lines to speak

British Dictionary definitions for nonspeaking (2 of 2)

speaking
/ (ˈspiːkɪŋ) /

adjective

(prenominal) eloquent, impressive, or striking
  1. able to speak
  2. (in combination) able to speak a particular languageFrench-speaking