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
- 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.
- 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.
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,
OTHER WORDS FROM speaking
speak·ing·ly, adverb speak·ing·ness, noun non·speak·ing, adjective well-speak·ing, adjectiveWords nearby speaking
Definition for speaking (2 of 2)
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.
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, adverbExample sentences from the Web for speaking
British Dictionary definitions for speaking (1 of 2)
speaking
/ (ˈspiːkɪŋ) /
adjective
(prenominal)
eloquent, impressive, or striking
- able to speak
- (in combination) able to speak a particular languageFrench-speaking
British Dictionary definitions for speaking (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 speaking
speak