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speaking

speaking

4 1.0
The act of talking to other people, for example giving a speech
  • noun
  • /ˈspiːkɪŋ/
translation icon : habla
  • Effective speaking requires practice, especially when addressing a large audience.

Plain dressing and plain speaking and plain spitting.

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Examples

  • Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani did the speaking and, well, take a look.

  • Hearsay had it that when Hogg appeared, Ima and a little friend of hers sat on the platform at more than one of his speakings.

    Blog text (25)
  • The Ten Speakings are eternally relevant.

    Blog text (2)
  • The professor delivered a captivating lecture on climate change that showcased his exceptional speaking skills.

  • Her speaking at the conference inspired many young people to pursue careers in science.

Synonyms

talk
vsspeaking
947 1.0

A discussion where people share ideas or feelings

is the general process of producing words aloud rather than only exchanges
speech
vsspeaking
655 1.0

The ability to use words with your voice to show thoughts or feelings

is the overall process of producing words aloud across events
talking
vsspeaking
504 1.0

An activity of sharing ideas or information by speaking to someone

is any act of producing words aloud, including formal and informal uses
spoken language
vsspeaking
4 2.3

Language people use with their voice rather than in writing

concerns the act of producing words aloud, not the language system
voice communication
vsspeaking
1 3.0

Talking to share information, often by phone or radio

is the act or process of producing words aloud, including many situations
oral communication
vsspeaking
1 3.2

To talk to share ideas or information with others

covers the general process of producing words aloud in many situations
2.9

Talking to share information or ideas

is broader, covering any act of producing words, not only exchanges
3.3

Sharing ideas and information by speaking to others

focuses on the act or process of producing words aloud generally

Antonyms

660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

1 6.8

Not speaking because someone cannot or chooses not to speak

Idioms

If you look at the exact meaning, this is true

To say something is true in general

1 6.7

Saying what is exactly true or correct

Compounds

speaking to
  • Informal
62 7.0

A short talk telling someone they did something wrong

A person, country, or community that can speak English

To speak to a group of people to inform, persuade, or entertain

Able to speak or write Spanish

A person's usual way of talking that shows how they feel or think

Able to speak Russian

speaking tube
  • Archaic
1 7.9

A tube that carries a person's voice between rooms

People, groups, or places where a Bantu language is spoken

A person who can speak Japanese

9.9

A cone-shaped device that makes your voice louder and directs it

How Formal

oration
  • Formal
6 7.6
to make a speech
  • Formal
35 2.8
lecturing
  • Formal
5 3.5
speaking
4 1.0
talking
504 1.0

Surface Forms

speaking singular
speakings plural

Morphology

speaking = speak (transparent) = speak + ing

A regular gerund/nominalization from the verb 'speak'; learners who know 'speak' will readily infer 'the act of speaking'.

Etymology

Speaking comes from the old English word speak, which meant 'to say' with your voice and is the same root as speech. So speaking is the act of using your voice to say words or give a talk.