verb \ˈspēk\


: to talk about a particular subject or person

: to say words to express yourself in a particular way

spoke \ˈspōk\ spo·ken \ˈspō-kən\ speak·ing

Full Definition of SPEAK

intransitive verb
a :  to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice :  talk
b (1) :  to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally
c (1) :  to express oneself before a group
c :  to serve as spokesperson
a :  to express feelings by other than verbal means <actions speak louder than words>
b :  signal
a :  testify
transitive verb
b :  to express orally :  declare <free to speak their minds>
c :  address, accost; especially :  hail
:  to make known in writing :  state
:  to indicate by other than verbal means
archaic :  describe, depict
speak·able \ˈspē-kə-bəl\ adjective
to speak of

Examples of SPEAK

  1. Have you two spoken since yesterday?
  2. She and I spoke this morning.
  3. He never speaks at the meetings.
  4. Without speaking, she walked from the room.
  5. They were speaking in Japanese.
  7. She must be speaking the truth.
  9. He has laryngitis and can't speak.
  10. She speaks with a Southern accent.

Origin of SPEAK

First Known Use: before 12th century
SPEAK Defined for Kids


verb \ˈspēk\
spoke \ˈspōk\spo·ken \ˈspō-kən\speak·ing

Definition of SPEAK for Kids

speak out
:  to express an opinion openly
speak up
:  to speak loudly and clearly
:  to express an opinion openly

Synonym Discussion of SPEAK

speak, talk, and converse mean to express in words. speak is used of anything said, whether it is understood or not and whether it is heard or not. <We didn't know what language they were speaking.> talk is used when there is a listener who understands what is said and often when both people do some speaking. <We talked about school.> converse is used for the exchange of thoughts and opinions. <The scientists conversed about traveling in space.>


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