speech
speech
Speech (noun) means the ability to speak, or spoken language in general. Example: “Babies begin to develop speech at around the end of their first year.”
noun
1
The ability to speak, or spoken language in general.
"Babies begin to develop speech at around the end of their first year."
"The stroke temporarily affected his speech."
"Freedom of speech is protected by law in many countries."
2
A formal talk given aloud to an audience.
"The best man gave a funny speech at the wedding."
"He felt nervous before giving his speech to the whole school."
"She delivered a moving speech at the graduation ceremony."
How to use speech
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTalking, or a formal talk given to a group.
Common pairings
give a speech
freedom of speech
speech impediment
a moving speech
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Word forms
- Plural
- speeches
- Third person singular
- speeches
- Past tense
- speeched
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Babies begin to develop _____ at around the end of their first year.
Etymology
From Old English spǣċ/sprǣċ ("speech, discourse, language"), related to German Sprache. Comes from the same root as the verb "speak."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for speech
See all rhymes for speech →Frequently asked questions
What does “speech” mean?
The word “speech” means the ability to speak, or spoken language in general. In plain terms, talking, or a formal talk given to a group.
How do you pronounce “speech”?
“Speech” is pronounced speech (/spiːt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “speech” in a sentence?
Here is “speech” used in a sentence: “The stroke temporarily affected his speech.”
What is another word for “speech”?
Words with a similar meaning to “speech” include locution and parlance.
What part of speech is “speech”?
“Speech” is a noun.
Where does the word “speech” come from?
The word “speech” comes from Old English. From Old English spǣċ/sprǣċ ("speech, discourse, language"), related to German Sprache. Comes from the same root as the verb "speak.".
Is “speech” a common word?
“Speech” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “speech” have?
“Speech” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the ability to speak, or spoken language in general.
What is the difference between speech and language?
Speech is the physical act of producing spoken sounds, the ability to talk. Language is the system of words and rules behind it, which can be spoken, written, or signed. You can have language without speech, as in sign language or writing. Speech is one way of expressing language, not language itself.
What are the two main meanings of speech?
Speech has two everyday senses. The first is the general ability to speak or spoken language itself, as in 'freedom of speech' or 'she lost her speech'. The second is a formal talk given to an audience, as in 'a wedding speech'. Context makes clear which meaning is intended.
What are the parts of speech?
In grammar, the parts of speech are the categories words fall into by their job in a sentence. The main ones are noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, conjunction, and interjection. Some lists add the article or determiner. Knowing them helps explain how words combine to form meaning.
Can speech be affected by illness?
Yes. Conditions such as a stroke, brain injury, or certain neurological disorders can impair the ability to speak, sometimes called a speech disorder. Difficulties may involve forming sounds, finding words, or controlling the voice. Speech and language therapy often helps people recover or manage these changes.
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