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🛠️ To deal with 🏠 A place detail 🎤 To give a speech 🎤 A formal speech 🗣️ To speak to 💻 A computer code ✉️ To write details 💾 To access data 🤵 A manner or style ⛳ Golf stance ⛳ To aim in golf
to address

to address

236 4.4
To speak formally to a group, often when giving a speech
  • verb
  • /əˈdrɛs/
  • Formal
translation icon : dirigirse a
  • During the ceremony, the keynote speaker will address the audience about the importance of education.
  • address an audience
  • address a conference
  • address students

We have the great privilege of having him address us today.

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Examples

  • On August 14, 1862, Lincoln addressed a gathering of black freemen in Washington, D.C.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Ladies and gentlemen, President Nixon will, in a moment... address the Congress and the people of the United States.

    All the President's Men (1976)

  • But I would like to address a couple of things.

  • Well, it's an honor to be able to address this August body.

    Harvard University

  • So I'll stop there and be glad to address questions.

  • Your honour, if I may address the court.

    The Producers (2005)

  • We have the great privilege of having him address us today.

    Stanford

  • Today, I am addressing you for the last time as Russian president

    The Palace (2023)

  • Earlier today, Donald Trump addressed a group of builders unions.

    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

  • We will go live now as Senator McFarley prepares to address the crowd of supporters.

    The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)

Synonyms

to speak
vsto address
  • Formal
∞ 3.2

To give a formal talk to a group of people

is focused on addressing a group formally rather than casual speech
to turn to
vsto address
172 2.7

Face someone and speak to them

is about formal group speaking, not personal orientation or attention shifts
to lecture
vsto address
65 3.8

To give a talk that teaches people about a subject, often at a university

is used for formal remarks in many contexts beyond teaching
to make a speech
vsto address
  • Formal
35 2.8

Give a formal talk to people at a public or special event

applies to formal group remarks beyond only ceremonial occasions
to address the nation
vsto address
  • Formal
13 4.8

To make a formal speech to the people of a country

is any formal remark to a group, not limited to a nation
to deliver a speech
vsto address
  • Formal
8 3.3

To give a formal talk to an audience

is any formal remark to a group, not only prepared talks
to speak in public
vsto address
  • Formal
5 3.9

To talk in front of a group of people

is narrower, meaning a formal group remark rather than any public talk
to keynote
vsto address
1 6.7

To give the main speech at a conference

is more general and applies to any formal group statement
to allocute
vsto address
  • Formal
1 9.9

To speak formally to a group or person in an official way

is broader, covering any formal group remark not only official acts

Antonyms

to neglect
256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

to disregard
119 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

Phrasal Verbs

to address the nation
  • Formal
13 4.8

To make a formal speech to the people of a country

to address the fallout
6.8

To deal with the bad results of an event

Compounds

email address
  • Texting
80 2.3

A unique name used to send and receive email, like user@example.com

name and address
33 1.0

Information that shows who someone is and where they receive mail

e-mail address
  • Texting
30 1.1

A special name people use to send and receive messages online

return address
21 1.8

The sender's details on an envelope that show where to send it back if not delivered

inaugural address
  • Formal
18 5.9

A formal speech given at the start of an important job, for example by a president

keynote address
10 4.4

A main speech at a formal event that sets the tone

Gettysburg Address
8 4.7

A short famous speech by Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg in 1863 to honor soldiers who died

mailing address
8 1.3

The address where letters or packages are sent to reach someone

public address system
4 3.3

A system with microphones and speakers that makes announcements loud in public places

street address
4 1.0

A number and street name that shows where a house or building is

business address
2 2.3

An address where a company has its office or is registered

computer address
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A code that shows where data or a device is in a computer system

postal address
1 2.0

The place where people send your mail, like a house or P.O. Box

State of the City address
  • Formal
1 6.8

A formal speech by the mayor about the city's situation and future plans

form of address
1 3.4

A way of speaking used when you talk to someone to show their title or relationship

valedictory address
  • Formal
1 8.1

A formal speech by a top student that says goodbye at a graduation ceremony

nominating address
  • Formal
7.7

A formal speech at a political meeting that proposes someone for election

salutatory address
  • Formal
8.8

A welcoming speech that a student representative gives at the start of a graduation

How Formal

to orate
  • Formal
1 8.8
to address
  • Formal
236 4.4
to lecture
65 3.8
to speak to
∞ 1.7

Surface Forms

address infinitive
addressed past
addressed past participle
addressing present participle
addresses third person singular

Etymology

Address meaning to speak formally to a group is the same root of 'directing' words to people. That's why to address an audience is to speak to them in a formal way.