speak

The word “speak” means to say words out loud; to talk. In plain terms, to use your voice to say words, or more broadly, to communicate a language, idea, or feeling.

“Speak” is pronounced speek (/spik/ in IPA).

Here is “speak” used in a sentence: “She speaks three languages fluently.”

Words with a similar meaning to “speak” include articulate, talk, babble, verbalize, blab and chat.

The opposite of “speak” — its antonyms — is be silent.

“Speak” is a verb.

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

“Speak” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

The two are very close and often interchangeable. 'Speak' tends to be slightly more formal and one-directional, as in giving a speech or asking to 'speak to the manager'. 'Talk' suggests a two-way, casual conversation, as in 'let's talk'. You speak a language, but you talk with a friend.

'Speak' focuses on the act of producing spoken words in general, without needing the exact words. 'Say' focuses on the actual content, on what is stated. You speak clearly or speak French, but you say a word or say that something is true. 'Say' almost always needs the message that follows.

'Speak' is irregular. Its simple past is 'spoke', as in 'she spoke yesterday', and its past participle is 'spoken', used with 'have' or 'was', as in 'I have spoken' or 'words were spoken'. The present forms are 'speak' and 'speaks', and the -ing form is 'speaking'.

Most people can learn to speak a new language at any age, given practice and exposure. Speaking improves fastest through regular listening and conversation rather than study alone. Progress varies with time, motivation, and how similar the new language is to ones you already know, but fluency is a realistic goal.