speak

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Related terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Derived terms 1.4.2 Translations 1.5 Noun 1.6 Anagrams

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• enPR: spēk, IPA: /spiːk/, SAMPA: /spi:k/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

  Rhymes: -iːk

[edit] Etymology

Old English spēcan, from earlier sprēcan, cf. German sprechen, Dutch spreken.

[edit] Verb

to speak (third-person singular simple present speaks or (archaic) speaketh, present participle speaking, simple past spoke or (archaic) spake, past participle spoken)

1. (intransitive) To communicate with one's voice, to say words out loud.

   I was so surprised I couldn't speak.

   You're speaking too fast.

2. (intransitive) To have a conversation.

   It's been ages since we've spoken.

3. (by extension) To communicate or converse by some means other than orally, such as writing or facial expressions.

   He spoke of it in his diary

   Speak to me only with your eyes.

   I just spoke with them on IRC.

   Actions speak louder than words.

4. (intransitive) To deliver a message to a group; to deliver a speech.

   This evening I shall speak on the topic of correct English usage.

5. (transitive) To be able to communicate in a language.

   He speaks Mandarin fluently.

6. (transitive) To utter.

   I was so surprised that I couldn't speak a word.

   • 1611, Authorized King James Version (Bible translation), Jeremiah 9:5:

     And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

[edit] Synonyms

• articulate
• talk
• verbalize

[edit] Derived terms

• speakable
• speaker
• speakeasy
• re-speak
• unspeakable

phrasal verbs

• speak down
• speak for
• speak out
• speak to
• speak up

idioms

• actions speak louder than words
• on speaking terms
• so to speak
• speak for oneself
• speak highly of
• speak ill of
• speak in tongues
• speak of the devil
• speak one's mind
• speak volumes
• spoken for
• to speak of

[edit] Related terms

• public speaking
• speech

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

speak (uncountable)

1. language, jargon, or terminology used uniquely in a particular environment or group.

   Corporate speak; IT speak

[edit] Derived terms

• artspeak
• cyberspeak
• double-speak
• lawyerspeak
• medspeak
• Newspeak
• weather speak
• leetspeak

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

speak (plural speaks)

1. (dated) a low class bar, a speakeasy.

[edit] Anagrams

• spake
• peaks