Speak — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈspēk/

Meaning & Definition of Speak

Speak (verb)

  1. to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice, talk
  2. to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally
  3. to extend a greeting

Speak (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express (a thought or emotion) in words

    "finally spoke her fears"

    similar: articulate, bring out, enunciate, pass, say, state, talk, tell, utter, verbalize, vocalize, put into words
    related: air, discuss, give, look, share, sound, vent, ventilate, voice, blabber, bolt, blurt, get off, shoot, advertise, announce, blaze, broadcast, declare, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, breathe, chirp, drawl, gasp, lip, mouth, murmur, purr, shout, splutter, spout, whisper, clothe, couch, formulate, formulize, phrase, put, word, comment, pipe up (with), remark, rip (out), snarl
    near: stifle, suppress

  2. to give a formal often extended talk on a subject

    "the Mayanists have been invited to speak about their latest archaeological discoveries"

    similar: declaim, descant, discourse, expatiate, harangue, lecture, orate, talk, hold forth, take the floor
    related: recite, soliloquize, dissert, expound, pontificate, sermonize, mouth, spout, filibuster

Related Entry: Speak (for) (verb)

Speak (for) is a different word from Speak. The synonyms below are for speak (for), not for speak.

  1. to make a request for

    "she has already spoken for the position, so it should go to her"

    similar: ask (for), bespeak, call (for), desire, plead (for), quest, request, seek, solicit, 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

Related Entry: Speak (to or with) (verb)

Speak (to or with) is a different word from Speak. The synonyms below are for speak (to or with), not for speak.

  1. to communicate with by means of spoken words

    "we spoke to the mall's leasing agent about opening a shop"

    similar: chat (with), converse (with), talk (to), engage in conversation
    related: accost, address, board, collar, greet, hail, herald, inform, notify, tell

Related Entry: Speak out (verb)

Speak out is a different word from Speak. The synonyms below are for speak out, not for speak.

  1. to voice one's opinions freely with force

    "it's a free country, so anyone can speak out"

    similar: pipe up, shoot, sound off, speak up, spout (off), talk up, speak one's mind
    related: bawl, bay, bellow, call, cry, holler, roar, shout, sing (out), thunder, vociferate, yell, articulate, enounce, enunciate
    near: belt up (British), clam up, dummy up, hush, shut up, suppress, quiet

Related Entry: Speak up (verb)

Speak up is a different word from Speak. The synonyms below are for speak up, not for speak.

  1. to voice one's opinions freely with force

    "she's never been afraid to speak up at town meetings"

    similar: pipe up, shoot, sound off, speak out, spout (off), talk up, speak one's mind
    related: bawl, bay, bellow, call, cry, holler, roar, shout, sing (out), thunder, vociferate, yell, articulate, enounce, enunciate
    near: belt up (British), clam up, dummy up, hush, shut up, suppress, quiet

Related Entry: Speak one's mind (phrase)

Speak one's mind is a different word from Speak. The synonyms below are for speak one's mind, not for speak.

  1. to voice one's opinions freely with force

    "Please feel free to speak your mind if you disagree with anything I've said."

    similar: pipe up, shoot, sound off, speak out, speak up, spout (off), talk up
    related: bawl, bay, bellow, call, cry, holler, roar, shout, sing (out), thunder, vociferate, yell, articulate, enounce, enunciate
    near: belt up (British), clam up, dummy up, hush, shut up, suppress, quiet

Related Entry: Speak (about) (verb)

Speak (about) is a different word from Speak. The synonyms below are for speak (about), not for speak.

  1. as in talk (about), review

    similar: review, talk (about), agitate, argue, bandy, bat (around or back and forth), canvass, debate, discuss, dispute, hash (over or out), moot, talk over, broach, introduce, propound, raise, stir up, forge, hammer out, talk out, thrash (out), wrestle (with), chew over, consider, deliberate, weigh

Related Entry: Speak (of) (verb)

Speak (of) is a different word from Speak. The synonyms below are for speak (of), not for speak.

  1. as in talk (about), air

    similar: air, express, talk (about), vent, ventilate, offer, propose, suggest, interject, interrupt, allude (to), cite, mention, name, refer (to), debate, discuss, thrash (out or over), bring up, broach, introduce, moot, place, raise
    opposite: censor, hush (up), quiet, silence, suppress

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Speak

The most common words with a similar meaning to Speak:

articulate, bring out, enunciate, pass, say, state, talk, tell, utter, verbalize, vocalize, declaim, descant, discourse, expatiate, harangue, lecture, orate, put into words, hold forth, take the floor

Related Words for Speak

air, discuss, give, look, share, sound, vent, ventilate, voice, blabber, bolt, blurt, get off, shoot, advertise, announce, blaze, broadcast, declare, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow

Near Antonyms of Speak

stifle, suppress

Word Forms of Speak

Inflections: spoke, spoken, speaking

Derived words: speakable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Speak

Middle English speken, from Old English sprecan, specan; akin to Old High German sprehhan to speak, Greek spharageisthai to crackle

First known use: before 12th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Speak

Words & Phrases Containing Speak

-speak, speak-out, speak out, speak up, speak for, speak in tongues, speak of

Frequently Asked Questions about Speak

What does "Speak" mean?

"Speak" means to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice, talk. As a verb, it is defined as: to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice, talk. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Speak"?

Other words for "Speak" include articulate, bring out, enunciate, pass, say, state, talk and tell. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Speak" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Speak"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Speak". Common alternatives include articulate, bring out, enunciate, pass, say, state, talk, tell, utter and verbalize.

How do you use "Speak" in a sentence?

Examples of "Speak" in a sentence: "finally spoke her fears"; "the Mayanists have been invited to speak about their latest archaeological discoveries".

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

"Speak" is a verb.

Is "Speak" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Speak" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Speak"?

"Speak" is pronounced /ˈspēk/.

What is the origin of the word "Speak"?

"Speak" comes from Middle English speken, from Old English sprecan, specan; akin to Old High German sprehhan to speak, Greek spharageisthai to crackle. First known use: before 12th centuryi.