View synonyms for

speaking

[spee-king]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act, utterance, or discourse of a person who speaks.
speakings, literary works composed for recitation, as ancient bardic poetry; oral literature.

adjective

that speaks.
used in, suited to, or involving speaking or talking.
the speaking voice.
of or relating to declamation.
giving information as if by speech.
a speaking proof of a thing.
highly expressive.
speaking eyes.
lifelike.
a speaking likeness.

speaking

/ ˈ��辱ː��ɪŋ /

adjective

(prenominal) eloquent, impressive, or striking
1. able to speak
2. (in combination) able to speak a particular language
  French-speaking

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Other Word Forms

speakingly adverb
speakingness noun
nonspeaking adjective
well-speaking adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of speaking¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; speak, -ing ¹, -ing ²

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

not on speaking terms, not or no longer in a relationship of open, willing, or ready communication, as because of resentment or estrangement.
They had a squabble during the holidays, and now they're not on speaking terms.
on speaking terms,
1. in a relationship close enough for or limited to friendly superficialities.
  I don't know the hosts well, but we are certainly on speaking terms.
2. in a relationship of open, willing, or ready communication.
  Now that the debt has been settled, I hope you and your partner are on speaking terms again.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Erin Moriarty, the outspoken and righteous Starlight of “The Boys,” is speaking out about her health, specifically her ongoing battle with an autoimmune disorder.

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She wanted to remain anonymous as she was concerned speaking out could affect her chances of being housed.

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“This evening is going to be amazing. I wanted to call it a ‘Banjo Jamboree,’ but they wouldn’t let me,” she laughs, speaking to The Times via Zoom.

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But one of the reasons he was suddenly speaking more openly, and therefore more like his usual self, was less to do with finally playing well and more about who he was talking to.

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The peak for the seven-day hearing came on day three when Carter overruled 440 objections, mostly speaking in a barely audible whisper.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

speak for speaking clock

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