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Glite Dictionary
🗣️ To talk 🎤 To give a speech 🌩️ To make a sound
to speak

to speak

∞ 1.0
To talk with someone to share thoughts or feelings
  • verb
  • /spiːk/
translation icon : hablar
  • It's important to speak clearly so everyone can understand your ideas.
  • speak English
  • speak Spanish
  • speak Arabic

Even the language we speak is an invention.

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Examples

  • The president himself was beginning to speak more about free trade and remaking U.S. foreign aid.

    Academic text (2011)

  • To do well in the different curriculum areas, pupils must speak with clarity and understanding.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The jury is free to speak after this.

  • I used to go and speak for free often.

  • So James, would you like to also speak and say hello?

    Stanford

  • Do not be afraid to tell those you speak with about your project.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Does the office have the authority to speak on behalf of the university?

    Academic text (2011)

  • Such were the choices many women had: suffer in silence, or speak up and risk being ignored.

    Academic text (2011)

  • During the meeting, I will speak about our project updates.

  • Can you speak to me about your experience in the new role?

Synonyms

to say
vsto speak
∞ 1.0

Speak words to show information or feelings

is the wider activity of expressing thoughts by voice
to talk
vsto speak
∞ 1.0

Speak with someone to share ideas or information

is the broader act of using spoken words to express ideas
to tell
vsto speak
∞ 1.0

Give someone information

is general oral expression not always aimed at informing
to talk about
vsto speak
∞ 1.3

Speak with someone about a subject

is the broader act of oral expression not limited to topics
to discuss
vsto speak
∞ 1.6

To talk with other people about something, often in detail

is general speaking that may not involve detailed group exchange
to communicate
vsto speak
773 2.3

Share information, ideas, or feelings with someone

is specifically the act of expressing by spoken words
to share
vsto speak
711 1.0

To tell someone about your thoughts, feelings or experiences

is general spoken expression not necessarily personal sharing
to voice
vsto speak
152 3.2

To say something aloud, especially an opinion or feeling

is general oral expression that can be private or informal
to utter
vsto speak
107 2.9

To say something aloud

is a fuller act of expressing thoughts and holding conversation
to converse
vsto speak
29 3.3

To talk with someone in a friendly way

is general oral expression that may not be mutual
to give voice
vsto speak
15 4.3

To put thoughts or feelings into words

is broader spoken expression, not necessarily public or explicit
to verbalize
vsto speak
  • US
9 4.8

To put thoughts or feelings into words

is the general use of speech not limited to deliberate wording

Idioms

so to speak
80 5.6

As a way of saying something that is not exactly true

to speak volumes
  • Informal
31 5.7

To show a lot without using words

to speak one's mind
  • Informal
21 3.5

Say what you think openly

to speak of the devil
  • Informal
13 4.8

A phrase said when someone you are talking about appears

to speak from the heart
  • Informal
9 3.7

Say something honestly and with strong feeling

to think before you speak
  • Informal
4 3.5

To pause and imagine how your words will affect others before you say them

to speak in tongues
2 9.8

Make sounds like speech that others cannot understand during a strong religious feeling

speak now or forever hold your peace
  • Formal
2 8.5

Ask anyone who objects to speak now or be silent forever

to speak out of both sides of one's mouth
  • Informal
1 9.9

To say different things to different people to hide the truth

nothing to speak of
1 6.1

Too small to be important

to speak with a forked tongue
  • Informal
1 9.6

Say things that are not true to trick others

to speak in circles
  • Informal
7.5

Talk without saying a clear answer, often repeating or being vague

to speak someone's language
4.4

To talk in a way someone understands and likes

to speak with venom
7.8

Say angry, cruel things about someone

Phrasal Verbs

to speak to
∞ 1.7

To talk to someone about a problem or plan

to speak of
532 1.9

To talk about someone or something

to speak out
220 3.4

To say your opinion or feelings openly even when it is difficult

to speak up
  • Informal
135 3.1

Give your opinion clearly and firmly even when it is difficult

to speak for
133 3.4

To say what another person or group thinks and wants

to speak out against
44 4.1

Publicly say you are strongly against something or someone

to speak up
43 2.0

Talk more loudly so people can hear you

to to speak of
16 6.8

Not enough to be worth mentioning

to speak against
15 4.2

To say in public that you do not support something

to speak clearly
7 1.0

Say words so other people can easily understand you

to speak openly
7 3.4

Talk honestly without hiding facts or feelings

to speak in public
  • Formal
5 3.9

To talk in front of a group of people

to speak in code
2 7.7

To talk using secret words and signs that only a few people understand

to speak fondly of
1 3.6

To talk about someone or something in a warm, kind way

to speak trimmingly
  • UK
9.9

Say something in a brief, critical way

to speak with condescension
8.3

Talk to someone in a way that shows you feel better than them

to speak volcanically
  • Literature
8.6

To talk with strong, sudden feeling, often loudly or angrily

How Much

to ramble
  • Informal
48 5.3
to speak
∞ 1.0
to say
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

speak infinitive
speaking present participle
speaks third person singular
spoke past
spoken past participle

Etymology

Speak comes from an old German word meaning 'to say' and is the same root as speech and speaker. So to speak simply means to 'say words' or to have a conversation.