Bespeak — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /bi-ˈspēk/ be·speak

Meaning & Definition of Bespeak

Bespeak (verb)

  1. to hire, engage, or claim beforehand
  2. to speak to especially with formality, address
  3. request

Bespeak (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to arrange to have something (as a hotel room) held for one's future use

    "bespoke the rental car weeks in advance of their trip"

    similar: book, reserve
    related: earmark, contract, engage, hire, retain

  2. to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

    "her expression throughout the meeting bespoke great boredom"

    similar: betray, communicate, declare, demonstrate, display, evince, expose, give away, manifest, reveal, show
    related: bare, disclose, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast, placard, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet, project
    near: belie, misrepresent, distort, falsify, garble, twist, camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, conceal, counterfeit, cover, hide, mask, obscure, occlude, veil

  3. to make a request for

    "milady bespoke our indulgence, inviting us to wait in the foyer while she attended to other matters"

    similar: ask (for), call (for), desire, plead (for), quest, request, seek, solicit, speak (for), sue (for)
    related: apply (for), beg (for), claim, clamor (for), importune, urge, wish (for), demand, enjoin, exact, insist (on), petition (for), press (for), require, requisition, invite, invoke

  4. to serve as a sign or symptom of

    "her impressive virtuosity as a pianist bespeaks years of diligent practice"

    similar: betoken, denote, indicate, mean, point (to), signify, tell (of)
    related: bode, foreshow, foretell, presage

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Bespeak

The most common words with a similar meaning to Bespeak:

book, reserve, betray, communicate, declare, demonstrate, display, evince, expose, give away, manifest, reveal, show, ask (for), call (for), desire, plead (for), quest, request, seek, solicit, speak (for), sue (for), betoken, denote, indicate, mean, point (to), signify, tell (of)

Related Words for Bespeak

earmark, contract, engage, hire, retain, bare, disclose, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast, placard, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet, project, apply (for), beg (for), claim, clamor (for), importune, urge, wish (for), demand, enjoin

Near Antonyms of Bespeak

belie, misrepresent, distort, falsify, garble, twist, camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, conceal, counterfeit, cover, hide, mask, obscure, occlude, veil

Word Forms of Bespeak

Inflections: bespoke, bespoken, bespeaking

Origin & Etymology of Bespeak

First known use: 1533

Frequently Asked Questions about Bespeak

What does "Bespeak" mean?

"Bespeak" means to hire, engage, or claim beforehand. As a verb, it is defined as: to hire, engage, or claim beforehand. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Bespeak"?

Other words for "Bespeak" include book, reserve, betray, communicate, declare, demonstrate, display and evince. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Bespeak" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Bespeak"?

There are 72 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Bespeak". Common alternatives include book, reserve, betray, communicate, declare, demonstrate, display, evince, expose and give away.

How do you use "Bespeak" in a sentence?

Examples of "Bespeak" in a sentence: "bespoke the rental car weeks in advance of their trip"; "her expression throughout the meeting bespoke great boredom"; "milady bespoke our indulgence, inviting us to wait in the foyer while she attended to other matters".

Is "Bespeak" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Bespeak" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Bespeak"?

"Bespeak" is pronounced /bi-ˈspēk/ and divided into syllables as be·speak.

What is the origin of the word "Bespeak"?

First known use: 1533.

What is another word for "Bespeak" meaning "to arrange to have something (as a hotel room) held for one's future use"?

When "Bespeak" (verb) means to arrange to have something (as a hotel room) held for one's future use, synonyms include book and reserve.