English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
Login Flashcards
noun Very common

speaking

SPEE-kihng
Quiz me More like this

Speaking (noun) means the act of talking or communicating with one's voice. Example: “Clear speaking helps listeners follow you, especially on a bad phone line.”

noun
1
The act of talking or communicating with one's voice.
"Clear speaking helps listeners follow you, especially on a bad phone line."
"His speaking improved a lot after he joined the debating club."
"Public speaking is one of her greatest fears."
adj
1
Expressive or vivid, as if capable of speech.
"The old portrait had speaking eyes that seemed to follow you around."
"She gave a speaking glance across the table, and he understood at once."
"He gave her a speaking look that said everything without a word."
2
Able to communicate in a stated language.
"The shop wants a French-speaking assistant to help visiting tourists."
"Spanish-speaking pupils joined our class this term."
"They hired an English-speaking guide for the tour."

How to use speaking

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe act of talking, or an adjective describing something vivid enough to seem like it's talking, or ability in a language.

Common pairings
public speaking English-speaking speaking terms
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like speaking.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
speakings
Test yourself on “speaking” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Clear _____ helps listeners follow you, especially on a bad phone line.

Etymology

Came into English as Middle English spekinge, spekynge, spekinde, spekende, spekande or spekand, from Old English specende or sprecende (“speaking”), from Proto-Germanic *sprekandz (“speaking”), the present participle of Proto-Germanic *sprekaną (“to speak”). It is equivalent to speak + -ing, and cognate with Scots speikand, speikin (“speaking”), Saterland Frisian spreekend (“speaking”), West Frisian sprekkend (“speaking”), Dutch sprekend (“speaking”), German Low German sprekend (“speaking”) and German sprechend (“speaking”).

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

View more →
talking speech conversation discourse verbal communication utterance speechmaking public speaking speech production oral presentation

Antonyms

nonspeaking unspeaking

Related words

talk talking words language treatment address speech discussion

Rhymes for speaking

baking making waking taking faking raking shaking leaking quaking soaking braking staking
See all rhymes for speaking →

Frequently asked questions

What does “speaking” mean?
The word “speaking” means the act of talking or communicating with one's voice. In plain terms, the act of talking, or an adjective describing something vivid enough to seem like it's talking, or ability in a language.
How do you pronounce “speaking”?
“Speaking” is pronounced SPEE-kihng (/ˈspi.kɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “speaking” in a sentence?
Here is “speaking” used in a sentence: “Public speaking is one of her greatest fears.”
What is the opposite of “speaking”?
The opposite of “speaking” — its antonyms — are unspeaking and nonspeaking.
What part of speech is “speaking”?
Depending on how it is used, “speaking” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “speaking” a common word?
“Speaking” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “speaking” have?
“Speaking” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of talking or communicating with one's voice.
What is the difference between speaking and talking?
Speaking and talking both mean using the voice, but speaking often suggests a more formal, deliberate, or one-directional act — addressing an audience, delivering words, or expressing something. Talking tends to be casual and two-way, the everyday back-and-forth of conversation. You give a speech by speaking, but you chat with a friend by talking.
What are the types of speaking?
Speaking is often grouped by purpose and setting. Public speaking addresses an audience, as in speeches or lectures; conversational speaking is informal exchange between people; and formal or professional speaking covers interviews, presentations, and debates. Educators also distinguish extempore, impromptu, and scripted speaking, depending on how much is prepared in advance.
Why is speaking important?
Speaking is the primary way people share ideas, build relationships, and coordinate action in real time. Clear speaking helps you be understood, persuade others, and express needs and feelings. It underpins education, work, and social life, and strong speaking skills are consistently linked to confidence and success across almost every field.
What is an example of speaking?
Any time you use your voice to communicate, you are speaking — greeting a neighbor, answering a phone call, giving a class presentation, or reading a story aloud. A politician delivering a campaign address and a child asking a question are both examples, differing only in their setting and formality.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include speaking:

8 letter words Words that end with G Words that start with S The 2000 most common English words The 5000 most common English words

People also searched

talk talking words language treatment address speech discussion