speak
[ speek ]
/ spik /
verb (used without object), spoke or (Archaic) spake; spo·ken or (Archaic) spoke; speak·ing.
verb (used with object), spoke or (Archaic) spake; spo·ken or (Archaic) spoke; speak·ing.
Verb Phrases
speak for,
- to intercede for or recommend; speak in behalf of.
- to express or articulate the views of; represent.
- to choose or prefer; have reserved for oneself: This item is already spoken for.
speak out,
to express one's opinion openly and unreservedly: He was not afraid to speak out when it was something he believed in strongly.
Idioms for speak
Origin of speak
before 900; Middle English
speken, Old English
specan, variant of
sprecan; cognate with German
sprechen (Old High German
sprehhan; compare variant
spehhan)
SYNONYMS FOR speak
1
Speak,
converse,
talk mean to make vocal sounds, usually for purposes of communication. To
speak often implies conveying information and may apply to anything from an informal remark to a scholarly presentation to a formal address:
to speak sharply; to speak before Congress.
To converse is to exchange ideas with someone by speaking:
to converse with a friend.
To talk is a close synonym for
to speak but usually refers to less formal situations:
to talk about the weather; to talk with a friend.
12 pronounce, articulate.
13 say.
15 disclose.
OTHER WORDS FROM speak
speak·a·ble, adjective speak·a·ble·ness, noun speak·a·bly, adverbWords nearby speak
spaza shop,
spca,
spck,
spd,
spda,
speak,
speak down to,
speak for,
speak of the devil,
speak one's mind,
speak one's piece
British Dictionary definitions for speak for (1 of 2)
speak for
verb (intr, preposition)
to speak as a representative of (other people)
speak for itself
to be so evident that no further comment is necessary
speak for yourself informal (used as an imperative)
do not presume that other people agree with you
British Dictionary definitions for speak for (2 of 2)
speak
/ (spiːk) /
verb speaks, speaking, spoke or spoken
Derived forms of speak
speakable, adjectiveWord Origin for speak
Old English
specan; related to Old High German
spehhan, Middle High German
spechten to gossip, Middle Dutch
speken; see
speech
Idioms and Phrases with speak for (1 of 2)
speak for
Intercede for, recommend, as in He spoke for the young applicant, commending her honesty. [c. 1300]
Express the views of, as in I can't speak for my husband but I'd love to accept, or I don't care what Harry thinks—Speak for yourself, Joe. [c. 1300]
speak for itself. Be significant or self-evident, as in They haven't called us in months, and that speaks for itself. [Second half of 1700s]
spoken for. Ordered, engaged, or reserved, as in This lot of rugs is already spoken for, or Is this dance spoken for? This usage comes from the older verb, bespeak, meaning “to order.” [Late 1600s]
Idioms and Phrases with speak for (2 of 2)
speak