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speak
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- pronunciation:
- spik
- parts of speech:
- intransitive verb, transitive verb
- phrases:
- so to speak, speak one's mind, speak out, speak up, to speak of
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Builder, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
speaks, speaking, spoke, spoken |
| definition 1: |
to utter words in one's usual voice; talk.
Can you speak more clearly?- synonyms:
- talk
- similar words:
- articulate, pronounce
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| definition 2: |
to communicate using words and with one's voice.
I will speak with him about the matter after the meeting.He decided he would speak to his parents about his decision that evening.She often spoke of the wonderful times she'd spent with her grandparents.- synonyms:
- talk
- similar words:
- communicate
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| definition 3: |
to deliver a speech, address, or lecture.
He will speak at our graduation.- synonyms:
- declaim, lecture, talk
- similar words:
- discourse, harangue, orate, preach, sermonize, speechify
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| definition 4: |
to communicate a message by any means.
Her efforts speak for themselves.Her smile spoke suggestively to him.- similar words:
- comment, communicate, tell
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| definition 5: |
to take part in conversation.
He interrupted as we were speaking.The two of them were speaking very intently at a table by themselves.- synonyms:
- converse, talk
- similar words:
- chat, chew the fat, chitchat, communicate, confab, confabulate, discourse
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| related words: |
recite, tell, treat |
| contrasting words: |
mumble, mutter, scream, whisper, yell |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to say in one's usual voice.
She spoke my name.- synonyms:
- say, utter
- similar words:
- articulate, call, pronounce, sound, state
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| definition 2: |
to communicate in.
He is able to speak German.- synonyms:
- talk
- similar words:
- communicate in, converse in, pronounce, shape, utter
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| definition 3: |
to express.
They spoke the truth.- synonyms:
- communicate, convey, express
- similar words:
- disclose, divulge, impart, relate, reveal, say, state, tell, voice
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| related words: |
discuss, express, phrase, put, say, tell |
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| phrase: |
so to speak, speak one's mind, speak out, speak up, to speak of |
| derivation: |
speakable (adj.) |
Word Builder: speak +
- speaker1:
a person who gives a speech.
- speaker2:
the part of a radio, TV, or other device where the sound comes out.
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