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speak

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verb British English pronunciation: speak /spiːk/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyspeak
he/she/itspeaks
present participlespeaking
past tensespoke
past participlespoken
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive] to talk to someone about something
    speak to:

    I phoned your office and spoke to your assistant.

    speak with:

    Let me speak with Jennifer and see what she thinks.

    speak of:

    People spoke of their fear as the flood waters rose.

    speak about:

    He spoke movingly about his son’s struggle with cancer.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  speakThesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
    1. a.
      to talk about something in a particular way

      Let me speak frankly.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  speakThesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
  2. 2
    [intransitive] to use your voice to talk

    There was a long pause before she spoke again.

    He spoke so softly it was difficult to hear what he said.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  speakThesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
  3. 3
    [transitive] to be able to talk in a particular language

    Do you speak Chinese?

    He speaks three languages.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  speakThesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
  4. 4
    [intransitive] to give a formal speech
    speak at:

    The local MP will be speaking at our graduation ceremony.

    speak to:

    Petersen spoke to an audience of 2,000 at the conference.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  speakThesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
  5. 5
    [intransitive/transitive] to express your ideas, thoughts, or opinions about something
    speak against/in favour of:

    Only a small group of people dared to speak against the war.

    speak well/highly of someone (=say good things about someone):

    Yvonne has spoken so highly of you.

    speak badly/ill of someone (=say bad things about someone):

    You shouldn’t speak ill of your father.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  speakThesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
  6. 6
    [intransitive] to speak to someone on the telephone

    ‘Who’s speaking?’ ‘This is Mark Richards speaking.’

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  speakThesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
    1. a.
      used for telling someone who has called you on the telephone and has asked to talk to you that they are speaking to the right person

      ‘Is Janey there, please?’ ‘Speaking.’

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  speakThesaurus entry for this meaning of speak

phrases

See also

This is the British English definition of speak. View American English definition of speak.

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