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

to speak

∞ 3.2
To give a formal talk to a group of people
  • verb
  • /spiːk/
  • Formal
translation icon : dar un discurso
  • May I speak now, Congressman?
  • speak at conferences
  • speak for twenty minutes
  • the speaker spoke

So I'm supposed to speak for about half an hour.

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Examples

  • So for instance, I got hired to speak at a free diving conference.

  • Now he's going to speak at a wealth con soon.

  • And invited me to speak at his event, which I did.

  • So I'm supposed to speak for about half an hour.

    Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

  • I want to thank her for agreeing to speak to us this evening.

    Harvard University

  • Joe Polish asks me to speak at his Genius Network event.

  • That's why I was invited to speak at your graduation.

  • As he begins to speak, he is heckled and derided.

  • I now call Darwinia Omoyo, who will speak on behalf of the Southeast.

  • The renowned author will speak at the literary festival this weekend.

Synonyms

to present
vsto speak
∞ 2.8

Introduce information or ideas to a group

focuses on giving a formal spoken talk rather than showing or displaying
to address
vsto speak
  • Formal
236 4.4

To speak formally to a group, often when giving a speech

refers to giving a formal talk more generally, not only statements
to lecture
vsto speak
65 3.8

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

is a formal talk for any audience, not limited to teaching
to make a speech
vsto speak
  • Formal
35 2.8

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

is a general formal talk to an audience, not only ceremonial events
to deliver a speech
vsto speak
  • Formal
8 3.3

To give a formal talk to an audience

is the broader act of giving a formal talk, not only focused delivery
to speak in public
vsto speak
  • Formal
5 3.9

To talk in front of a group of people

is the formal giving of a talk, not merely the public context
to hold forth
vsto speak
5 7.4

Talk for a long time about a subject, like giving a lecture

is a formal talk that does not require long or authoritative speech
to take the floor
vsto speak
2 4.2

Stand up and begin speaking in a meeting or debate

describes giving a formal talk without focusing on starting in a meeting
to speechify
vsto speak
1 9.4

To give a long formal speech that sounds boring and self-important

means a formal talk without the negative pompous or tedious manner

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 Formal

to orate
  • Formal
1 8.8
to address
  • Formal
236 4.4
to speak
  • Formal
∞ 3.2
to deliver a speech
  • Formal
8 3.3
to lecture
65 3.8

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, which is a formal talk. So when you speak to an audience you are giving a 'speech' or telling people your ideas.