verb

speak

speek

verb

To say words out loud; to talk.

"She spoke softly so as not to wake the baby."

"He hasn't spoken a word all morning."

To be able to communicate in a particular language.

"She speaks three languages fluently."

To give a speech or address a group.

"The mayor is set to speak at the opening ceremony."

To express or reveal something without words.

"Her silence spoke volumes about how upset she was."

How to Use Speak

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo use your voice to say words, or more broadly, to communicate a language, idea, or feeling.

Common mistake

Past tense is "spoke," past participle is "spoken" — not "speaked."

Common pairings

speak up speak your mind speak fluently

Word Forms

spoke past tense, spake past tense, spoken past tense, spoke plural, speak plural, speaks plural, speaks singular, speak singular, spoke singular, speakest singular, spokest singular, speaketh singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ three languages fluently.

Etymology

From Old English specan/sprecan, "to speak," from a Germanic root meaning "to make a sound" — related to German sprechen and Dutch spreken.

Synonyms

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articulate talk babble verbalize blab chat chatter converse discuss jabber open one's mouth moot

Antonyms

be silent

Related Words

nonsense say gossip talk chat rumor silence opposite

Rhymes for speak

weak beak leak peak teak break wreak bleak creak freak sneak steak

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articulate talk babble verbalize blab chat chatter converse discuss jabber open one's mouth moot