English
speak
Etymology

From Middle English speken, from Old English specan.

Cognate with Western Frisian sprekke, Low German spreken, Dutch spreken, German sprechen, and also with Albanian shpreh through Indo-European.

Pronunciation Verb

speak (speaks, present participle speaking; simple past spoke, 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, reciprocal) 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.
    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, stative) To be able to communicate in a language.
    He speaks Mandarin fluently.
    1. (by extension) To be able to communicate in the manner of specialists in a field.
  6. (transitive) To utter.
    I was so surprised that I couldn't speak a word.
  7. (transitive) To communicate (some fact or feeling); to bespeak, to indicate.
  8. (informal, transitive, sometimes, humorous) To understand (as though it were a language).
    Sorry, I don't speak idiot.
    So you can program in C. But do you speak C++?
  9. (intransitive) To produce a sound; to sound.
  10. Of a bird, to be able to vocally reproduce words or phrases from a human language.
  11. (transitive, archaic) To address; to accost; to speak to.
Conjugation
Conjugation of speak

infinitive (to) speak
present tense past tense
1st-person singular speak spoke
2nd-person singular

 speak, speakest†

 spoke, spokest†
3rd-person singular

 speaks, speaketh†

 spoke
plural

 speak

subjunctive

 speak

spoke
imperative

 speak

—
participles

 speaking

 spoken

†Archaic or obsolete.

Synonyms Antonyms Related terms Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Noun

speak

  1. (uncountable) language, jargon, or terminology used uniquely in a particular environment or group.
    corporate speak; IT speak
  2. (countable) Speech, conversation.
  3. (countable, informal) Short for speaker point.
    We will deduct speaks for hesitation.
Translations Noun

speak (plural speaks)

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


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