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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | sprecan, specan |
Related topics:1 to talk to someone about something
in conversation
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] speak to 
I spoke to her last Wednesday.'Hello, may I speak to Jim Smith?' 'Yes, speaking' (=used on the telephone).
I spoke to her last Wednesday.'Hello, may I speak to Jim Smith?' 'Yes, speaking' (=used on the telephone).2 to use your voice to produce words : I was so shocked I couldn't speak. He spoke very softly (=quietly).
say words
[intransitive]I was so shocked I couldn't speak.He spoke very softly (=quietly).3 to be able to talk in a particular language : Do you speak English?
language
[transitive not in progressive]SLLDo you speak English?4 to make a formal speech
formal speech
[intransitive] speak to She asked me to speak to her students about my work in marketing.
➔ speaker (1)She asked me to speak to her students about my work in marketing.5 to say something that expresses your ideas or opinions
express ideas/opinions
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] speak as a parent/teacher/democrat etc He emphasized that he was speaking as a private citizen, not in any official capacity.
He emphasized that he was speaking as a private citizen, not in any official capacity. speak well/highly/ill of somebody (=say good or bad things about someone) Her co-workers spoke highly of her. It's wrong to speak ill of the dead.
Her co-workers spoke highly of her.It's wrong to speak ill of the dead. strictly/generally/roughly speaking (=used when expressing an idea that you think is exactly true, generally true etc) Strictly speaking, it's my money, not yours. I earned it.
Strictly speaking, it's my money, not yours. I earned it.6 used when you are saying something in words that do not have their usual meaning : We have to pull down the barriers, so to speak, of poverty.
so to speak
We have to pull down the barriers, so to speak, of poverty.7 to tell people exactly what you think, even if it offends them : He was a tough politician who wasn't afraid to speak his mind.
speak your mind
He was a tough politician who wasn't afraid to speak his mind.8 if two people are not speaking, they do not talk to each other, usually because they have argued : He was not on speaking terms with his brother or sisters.
be not speaking/not be on speaking terms
He was not on speaking terms with his brother or sisters.9 if something speaks volumes, it clearly shows the nature of something or the feelings of a person : What you wear speaks volumes about you.
speak volumes (about/for something)
What you wear speaks volumes about you.10 if a group of people speak with one voice, they all express the same opinion : On this issue, the 12 organizations spoke with one voice.
speak with one voice
On this issue, the 12 organizations spoke with one voice.11 if two people or groups speak the same language, they have similar attitudes and opinions
speak the same language
➔ actions speak louder than words
at action1 (13)➔ the facts speak for themselves
at fact (8)➔ in a manner of speaking
at manner (5)speak for somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to express the feelings, thoughts, or beliefs of a person or group of people : Dan, speaking for the students, started the meeting.
Dan, speaking for the students, started the meeting.2 used to tell someone that you do not have the same opinion as they do, or that something that is true for them is not true for you : 'We don't want to go.' 'Speak for yourself!'
speak for yourself
spoken'We don't want to go.' 'Speak for yourself!'3 if something or someone is spoken for, they have already been promised to someone else : They're all either married or spoken for.
be spoken for
They're all either married or spoken for.speak of something
phrasal verb1 literary to show clearly that something happened or exists : Her skin spoke of warm summer days spent in the sun.
Her skin spoke of warm summer days spent in the sun.2 very little of something or a very small thing : There's been no rain to speak of for several months. The house had no garden to speak of.
no ... to speak of
also none/nothing to speak ofThere's been no rain to speak of for several months.The house had no garden to speak of.speak out
phrasal verbspeak to somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to talk to someone who has done something wrong and tell them not to do it again : Joe was late again today. You'll have to speak to him.
Joe was late again today. You'll have to speak to him.2 if something such as a poem, painting, or piece of music speaks to you, you like it because it expresses a particular meaning, quality, or feeling to you : Modern art just doesn't speak to me.
Modern art just doesn't speak to me.speak up
phrasal verb1 used to ask someone to speak louder : Could you speak up, please?
Could you speak up, please?2 to say something, especially to express your opinion : There was a brief silence, then Gerald spoke up.
There was a brief silence, then Gerald spoke up.3 to speak in support of someone : He is willing to speak up for the rights of women.
speak up for somebody
He is willing to speak up for the rights of women.WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
speak, talk When one person is saying things, you can use talk or speak, but talk is more usual and speak slightly literary • She talked about her job. • He spoke longingly of his home country. • Don't interrupt me when I'm talking/speaking. If people are having a conversation, always use talk • We talked about our relationship. • They talked for hours. If you say that two people are not speaking, you mean they are not willing to talk to each other • They've had a row and they're not speaking. Someone who can talk has learned to use language • She could talk before she was two. If you can speak, you are able to say something on a particular occasion • I was too scared to speak.!! When you mention what language someone uses, always use speak • She speaks (=knows how to use) French and Spanish. • We spoke in German at first, then English.!! When you ask for someone on the telephone, use speak • Can I speak to Clare?!! You can speak words. Do not use talk • I spoke the words as clearly as I could.!! You can talk sense or talk nonsense. Do not use speak • I think she talks a lot of sense.
WORD CHOICE: speak, talk When one person is saying things, you can use talk or speak, but talk is more usual and speak slightly literary • She talked about her job. • He spoke longingly of his home country. • Don't interrupt me when I'm talking/speaking. If people are having a conversation, always use talk • We talked about our relationship. • They talked for hours. If you say that two people are not speaking, you mean they are not willing to talk to each other • They've had a row and they're not speaking. Someone who can talk has learned to use language • She could talk before she was two. If you can speak, you are able to say something on a particular occasion • I was too scared to speak.!! When you mention what language someone uses, always use speak • She speaks (=knows how to use) French and Spanish. • We spoke in German at first, then English.!! When you ask for someone on the telephone, use speak • Can I speak to Clare?!! You can speak words. Do not use talk • I spoke the words as clearly as I could.!! You can talk sense or talk nonsense. Do not use speak • I think she talks a lot of sense.
