speak

/spi:k/ verb past tense spoke past participle spoken

1 IN CONVERSATION (intransitive always + adv/prep) to talk to someone about something or have a conversation: speak to sb about sth: I intend to speak to the manager about the way I have been treated. | I know her by sight but not to speak to (=not well enough to talk to her) . | speak with especially AmE: Sally would like to speak with you for a minute. | speak of formal: It was the first time she had ever spoken of marriage.

—see say 1

2 SAY WORDS (I) to use your voice to produce words: I was so shocked I couldn't speak.

(+ to): John! Speak to me! Are you alright?

3 A LANGUAGE (transitive not in progressive) to be able to speak a particular language: Do you speak English? | not speak a word of (=not speak it at all): He doesn't speak a word of French. | French-speaking/Italian-speaking etc: a German-speaking secretary

4 FORMAL SPEECH (I) to make a formal speech: Diana's been invited to speak at the annual conference. | speak in favour of/against (=support or oppose): Only one MP spoke against the bill.

—see also: speaker

5 be not speaking/not be on speaking terms if two people are not speaking they will not be polite or talk to each other, especially because they have quarrelled

6 EXPRESS IDEAS/OPINIONS (T) to say something that expresses your ideas or opinions: Not a word was spoken about the whole affair. | speaking as a parent/teacher/democrat etc: Speaking as a parent, I would like to see more discipline in schools. | speak well/badly/ill of (=say good or bad things about someone): It's wrong to speak ill of the dead. | speak highly of (=praise someone): I'm so pleased to meet you - my wife has always spoken very highly of you. | speak your mind (=tell people exactly what you think, even if it offends them): She's very direct, the kind of person who believes in speaking their mind.

7 generally/personally/technically speaking used when you are expressing a general, personal etc opinion: Generally speaking, rural schools provide a better environment for the students.

8 speak out of turn to say something when you do not have the right or authority to say it: I hope I haven't spoken out of turn - I didn't know it was supposed to be a secret.

9 none/nothing to speak of not large or important enough to mention: There's been no rain to speak of - only a few drops.

10 so to speak used when you are saying something in words that do not have their usual meaning: We all learned this theory, so to speak, at our mother's knee.

11 speak volumes to express something very clearly, without using words: Mary could not express the high hopes she had for her daughter, but her actions spoke volumes.

speak for sb/sth phrasal verb (T)

1 to express the feelings, thoughts, or beliefs of a person or group of people: I think I speak for everyone here when I say we wish you all the best.

2 speak for yourself spoken used to tell someone that you do not have the same opinion as they do: “We were all bored in that lecture.” “Speak for yourself! I liked it.”

3 be spoken for if something or someone is spoken for, it has already been promised to someone else: The first cars off the production line have already been spoken for.

4 speak for itself/themselves to show something so clearly that no explanation is necessary: has been a very good year for us - the figures speak for themselves.

—see also: actions speak louder than words action (15), in a manner of speaking manner (4) speak of sth phrasal verb (T) literary to show clearly that something happened or that it exists: The lush vegetation spoke of a richer, damper climate. speak out phrasal verb (I) to publicly speak in protest about something, especially when protesting could be dangerous (+ about/against): Five students who had spoken out against the regime were arrested. speak to sb/sth phrasal verb (T) informal to talk to someone who has done something wrong, to tell them not to do it again: Joe was late again today, you'll have to speak to him. speak up phrasal verb (I)

1 used to ask someone to speak louder: Speak up, please, I can't hear you.

2 to express your opinion freely and clearly: “Is that wise?” Isidore spoke up, gathering courage.

3 speak up for to speak in support of someone: It's about time someone spoke up for single mothers.

USAGE NOTE: SPEAK WORD CHOICE: speak, talk, discuss, describe, say Speak is a little formal and often gives the idea that one person is saying more than any others in a conversation: He won't listen to me - will you speak to him? | Could you speak a little louder please? Talk is over twice as frequent in spoken English and usually suggests that two or more people are having a conversation: We stayed up all night talking. | Are you two talking about me? If you talk about something with someone, for example, in order to reach a decision, you discuss it: The boss wants to discuss next year's budget at the meeting. You can discuss or describe something either in speech or in writing. In British English speak with and talk with often mean a longer more formal talk than speak to or talk to, but in American English they are used more generally. Compare speak a language and speak in a language: Catherine may speak Greek means either `she may know Greek' or `she knows Greek and may use it on this occasion': `Catherine may speak in Greek' means only the second of these. GRAMMAR When speak is transitive, its object is usually a language: What's she speaking (=what language)? | I don't speak a word of Thai (NOT talk). You say other things: What's she saying? (=what words?) Note that you say I didn't say it/anything/those things (NOT speak it etc). | I gave my opinion (NOT spoke my opinion). But you would sometimes say: She spoke the truth (=told the truth). In writing talk is rarely transitive and can take only a few objects: He's talking nonsense/business. Otherwise you need to say talk about: She talked about her childhood for a long time. In informal spoken English, however, you will hear things like: We're talking big bucks! (=there is a lot of money involved in this situation) or They're talking cars again (=they are talking about cars). When it is transitive neither talk nor speak can have a person as its object: I spoke to him yesterday (NOT spoke him).).| They should talk to each other more (NOT talk each other).). See also say (WORD CHOICE).