speak

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[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Etymology

Old English spēcan, from earlier sprēcan

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to speak

Third person singular
speaks or archaic, speaketh

Simple past
spoke or archaic, spake

Past participle
spoken

Present participle
speaking

to speak (third-person singular simple present speaks or archaic, speaketh, present participle speaking, simple past spoke or archaic, spake, 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) 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.
    I just spoke with them on IRC.
    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) To be able to communicate in a language.
    I was so surprised that I couldn't speak a word.
    He speaks Mandarin fluently.

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] Derived terms

phrasal verbs

idioms

[edit] Related terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

Singular
speak

Plural
uncountable

speak (uncountable)

  1. language, jargon, or terminology used uniquely in a particular environment or group.
    Corporate speak; IT speak

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

Singular
speak

Plural
speaks

speak (plural speaks)

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

[edit] Anagrams

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