Speak
verb
To say something in order to express your ideas or feelings.
She spoke loudly so everyone could hear her.
Often appears as...
- speak clearly
- speak softly
verb
To be able to communicate in a particular language.
He speaks four languages fluently.
Often appears as...
- speak french
- speak english
verb
To express your feelings or opinion without using words.
His eyes spoke of his sadness.
Often appears as...
- actions speak louder than words
- speak volumes
verb
To make a formal speech to a group of people.
He was invited to speak at the conference.
Often appears as...
- speak at a conference
- speak on a topic
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
To talk to someone in order to express your feelings or discuss something.
She spoke to him about her concerns.
Often appears as...
- speak to someone
- speak about concerns
verb
To represent or act on behalf of others, especially in an official way.
I speak for everyone when I say we're grateful for your help.
Often appears as...
- speak for everyone
- speak for the group
verb
Used to ask about the ability of a computer or machine to use speech.
Does your device speak?
Often appears as...
- speak commands
- technology that speaks
verb
To say something in order to express your ideas or feelings.
She spoke loudly so everyone could hear her.
Often appears as...
- speak clearly
- speak softly
verb
To be able to communicate in a particular language.
He speaks four languages fluently.
Often appears as...
- speak french
- speak english
verb
To express your feelings or opinion without using words.
His eyes spoke of his sadness.
Often appears as...
- actions speak louder than words
- speak volumes
verb
To make a formal speech to a group of people.
He was invited to speak at the conference.
Often appears as...
- speak at a conference
- speak on a topic
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
To talk to someone in order to express your feelings or discuss something.
She spoke to him about her concerns.
Often appears as...
- speak to someone
- speak about concerns
verb
To represent or act on behalf of others, especially in an official way.
I speak for everyone when I say we're grateful for your help.
Often appears as...
- speak for everyone
- speak for the group
verb
Used to ask about the ability of a computer or machine to use speech.
Does your device speak?
Often appears as...
- speak commands
- technology that speaks
Definition 1 of 7
Pro Tip 1/2Emotional Tone
Use 'speak' to emphasize the tone or emotion in which something is said.
She spoke with such passion that everyone listened.
Pro Tip 2/2Volume Clarity
'Speak' often describes the clarity or volume of speech, especially in public situations.
Please speak up; the people at the back can't hear you.
Pro Tip 1/2Emotional Tone
Use 'speak' to emphasize the tone or emotion in which something is said.
She spoke with such passion that everyone listened.
Pro Tip 2/2Volume Clarity
'Speak' often describes the clarity or volume of speech, especially in public situations.
Please speak up; the people at the back can't hear you.
Pro Tip 1/2Emotional Tone
Use 'speak' to emphasize the tone or emotion in which something is said.
She spoke with such passion that everyone listened.
Pro Tip 2/2Volume Clarity
'Speak' often describes the clarity or volume of speech, especially in public situations.
Please speak up; the people at the back can't hear you.
Never forget "Speak"
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Video examples
How to read music - Tim...
probably learned their lines from a script, which essentially tells them what to say and when to say it. A piece of written music operates on exactly the same principle. In a very basic sense, it tells a performer what to play and when to play it. Aesthetically speaking, there's a world of difference
Video examples
Poetry makes people...
little bit vulgar and although I usually mean it in mild jest it's also pretty helpful for me whenever I travel to schools and colleges to perform and teach spoken word poetry I always meet people who say oh I don't like poetry or I don't get poetry or poetry's just not for me
Video examples
The benefits of a...
Language ability is typically measured in two active parts, speaking and writing, and two passive parts, listening and reading. While a balanced bilingual has near equal abilities across the board in two languages, most bilinguals around the world know and use their languages
Video examples
Cubs Meet Adult Tiger...
Chuffing is reassuring. So, they're chuffing at her. They're chuffing at each other. So, it's a reassuring type of noise, but it's also a way of greeting. So, she speaks your language, not like Ruby. Tigers are one of the few cats in the world to communicate in this way.
Video examples
How sugar affects the...
Sugar also causes dopamine to be released, though not as violently as drugs. And sugar is rare among dopamine-inducing foods. Broccoli, for example, has no effect, which probably explains why it's so hard to get kids to eat their veggies. Speaking of healthy foods,
Video examples
What’s the big deal with...
and suffer from fatigue, brain fog, joint pain or skin rash. A gluten-free diet typically helps with these symptoms. So how many people actually have this gluten sensitivity you speak of? Gluten sensitivity's occurrence in the general population is unclear,
Video examples
Can you solve the...
and speak to the prisoners under the following you may only make one statement, and you cannot tell them any new information. What can you say to help free the prisoners without incurring the dictator's wrath? After thinking long and hard,
Video examples
Does grammar matter? -...
while descriptivists see variation and adaptation as a natural and necessary part of language. For much of history, the vast majority of language was spoken. But as people became more interconnected and writing gained importance,
Video examples
Are China and the US...
that in the world we will have as the largest economy a non-English speaking country, a non-Western country, a non-liberal democratic country. And if you don't think that's going to affect
Video examples
Earth Day Eve 2021 PIPE...
Each family speaks a unique language. They love deeply,
Video examples
How to read music - Tim...
probably learned their lines from a script, which essentially tells them what to say and when to say it. A piece of written music operates on exactly the same principle. In a very basic sense, it tells a performer what to play and when to play it. Aesthetically speaking, there's a world of difference
Video examples
Poetry makes people...
little bit vulgar and although I usually mean it in mild jest it's also pretty helpful for me whenever I travel to schools and colleges to perform and teach spoken word poetry I always meet people who say oh I don't like poetry or I don't get poetry or poetry's just not for me
Video examples
The benefits of a...
Language ability is typically measured in two active parts, speaking and writing, and two passive parts, listening and reading. While a balanced bilingual has near equal abilities across the board in two languages, most bilinguals around the world know and use their languages
Video examples
Cubs Meet Adult Tiger...
Chuffing is reassuring. So, they're chuffing at her. They're chuffing at each other. So, it's a reassuring type of noise, but it's also a way of greeting. So, she speaks your language, not like Ruby. Tigers are one of the few cats in the world to communicate in this way.
Video examples
How sugar affects the...
Sugar also causes dopamine to be released, though not as violently as drugs. And sugar is rare among dopamine-inducing foods. Broccoli, for example, has no effect, which probably explains why it's so hard to get kids to eat their veggies. Speaking of healthy foods,
Video examples
What’s the big deal with...
and suffer from fatigue, brain fog, joint pain or skin rash. A gluten-free diet typically helps with these symptoms. So how many people actually have this gluten sensitivity you speak of? Gluten sensitivity's occurrence in the general population is unclear,
Video examples
Can you solve the...
and speak to the prisoners under the following you may only make one statement, and you cannot tell them any new information. What can you say to help free the prisoners without incurring the dictator's wrath? After thinking long and hard,
Video examples
Does grammar matter? -...
while descriptivists see variation and adaptation as a natural and necessary part of language. For much of history, the vast majority of language was spoken. But as people became more interconnected and writing gained importance,
Video examples
Are China and the US...
that in the world we will have as the largest economy a non-English speaking country, a non-Western country, a non-liberal democratic country. And if you don't think that's going to affect
Video examples
Earth Day Eve 2021 PIPE...
Each family speaks a unique language. They love deeply,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Richard M. Nixon
American President
Let us begin by committing ourselves to the truth to see it like it is, and tell it like it is, to find the truth, to speak the truth, and to live the truth.
Quote examples
Tom Holland
English Actor
I think, from every actor I've ever spoken to, they say the biggest thing they regret from life is not finishing school.
Quote examples
H. L. Mencken
American Writer
Whenever you hear a man speak of his love for his country, it is a sign that he expects to be paid for it.
Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
My life would have gone along perfectly well, politically speaking, if it hadn't been for girls.
Quote examples
Unknown
Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.
Quote examples
Henry David Thoreau
American Author
It takes two to speak the truth: one to speak, and another to hear.
Quote examples
Bill Gates
American Businessman
The protestor I think will speak up for the world's poorest.
Quote examples
Colin Kaepernick
American Athlete
I'm going to speak the truth when I'm asked about it.
Quote examples
Groucho Marx
American Comedian
Before I speak, I have something important to say.
Quote examples
George Santayana
Spanish Philosopher
In Greece wise men speak and fools decide.
Quote examples
Richard M. Nixon
American President
Let us begin by committing ourselves to the truth to see it like it is, and tell it like it is, to find the truth, to speak the truth, and to live the truth.
Quote examples
Tom Holland
English Actor
I think, from every actor I've ever spoken to, they say the biggest thing they regret from life is not finishing school.
Quote examples
H. L. Mencken
American Writer
Whenever you hear a man speak of his love for his country, it is a sign that he expects to be paid for it.
Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
My life would have gone along perfectly well, politically speaking, if it hadn't been for girls.
Quote examples
Unknown
Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.
Quote examples
Henry David Thoreau
American Author
It takes two to speak the truth: one to speak, and another to hear.
Quote examples
Bill Gates
American Businessman
The protestor I think will speak up for the world's poorest.
Quote examples
Colin Kaepernick
American Athlete
I'm going to speak the truth when I'm asked about it.
Quote examples
Groucho Marx
American Comedian
Before I speak, I have something important to say.
Quote examples
George Santayana
Spanish Philosopher
In Greece wise men speak and fools decide.
Example 1 of 10
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