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speak

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90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

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verb

/spiːk/

present tense
I/you/we/they	speak
he/she/it	speaks
present participle	speaking
past tense	spoke
past participle	spoken

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

more dictionary definitions

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 speak
1. a.
  to talk about something in a particular way
  Let me speak frankly.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
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 speak
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 speak
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 speak
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 speak
6
[intransitive] to speak to someone on the telephone
'Who's speaking?' 'This is Mark Richards speaking.'
Thesaurus 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 speak

phrases

broadly/generally speaking
used for showing that what you are saying is usually true, but not in every instance
Generally speaking, pet owners are law-abiding citizens.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
no...to speak of
used for saying that something is so unimportant or so small that it is not worth mentioning
She has no money to speak of.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
not on speaking terms
if two people are not on speaking terms, they are very angry with each other and will not talk to each other
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
so to speak
spoken
1. 1
  used for showing that you have expressed something in an unusual way
  Members of Parliament were back in school today, so to speak.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
2. 2
  used when you have just said something that seems to refer to sex because it can have two meanings
  He had trouble keeping it up. So to speak!
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
speak for itself
if something speaks for itself, it is clearly so good or effective that no additional argument about it is necessary
His success as a lawyer speaks for itself.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
speak for yourself
spoken
used for telling someone that your opinion about something is different from theirs
'No one wants pizza again tonight.' 'Speak for yourself! I do!'
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
speaking as someone
used for saying that an opinion you are going to express is a result of who you are, what you do, or your relationship with other people
Speaking as a mother, I would tell him to give up football.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
speaking of
spoken
used for introducing something new that you are going to say relating to a subject that someone has just mentioned
Speaking of money, have we paid our credit card bills yet?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
speak your mind
to say honestly what you think, even if it upsets or offends someone
She was an assertive woman who always spoke her mind.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
speak volumes
to provide a lot of information, especially in an indirect way
His silence on the issue speaks volumes.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak
speak well for/of
to show that something is correct or effective
The lower crime rate speaks well for the police department's new strategy.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of speak

phrasal verbs

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speak

What are red words?

Thesaurus

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phrases

broadly/generally speaking

no...to speak of

not on speaking terms

so to speak

speak for itself

speak for yourself

speaking as someone

speaking of

speak your mind

speak volumes

speak well for/of

phrasal verbs

charticle

Word of the Day

picture messaging

never event