speak

Pronunciation: /spiːk/

Definition of speak

[no object]

1say something in order to convey information or to express a feeling:in his agitation he was unable to speak she refused to speak about the incident
have a conversation:last time we spoke, you told me you couldn’t do the job I’ll speak to him if he rings up
[with object] utter (a word, message, etc.):patients copy words spoken by the therapist
[with object] communicate in or be able to communicate in (a specified language):my mother spoke Russian
make a speech or contribute to a debate:twenty thousand people attended to hear him speak
(speak for) express the views or position of (another):he claimed to speak for the majority of local people
convey one’s views or position indirectly:speaking through his solicitor, he refused to join the debate
(speak to) answer (a question) or address (an issue or problem):we should be disappointed if the report did not speak to the issue of literacy
(speak of) mention or discuss in speech or writing:the books speak of betrayal

2 (speak to) talk to in order to reprove or advise:she tried to speak to Seb about his drinking
talk to in order to give or obtain information:he had spoken to the police
appeal or relate to:the story spoke to him directly

3(of behaviour, an object, etc.) serve as evidence for something:everything in the house spoke of hard times and neglect [with object]:his frame spoke tiredness
[with object and infinitive or adverbial] archaic show (someone or something) to be in a particular state or to possess a certain quality:she had seen nothing that spoke him of immoral habits

4(of a musical instrument or other object) make a sound when functioning:the gun spoke again insufficient air circulates for the pipes to speak
(of a hound) bark.

Phrases

not to speak of: used in introducing a further factor to be considered:the rent had to be paid, not to speak of school fees
something speaks for itself: the implications of something are so clear that no supporting evidence is needed:the figures speak for themselves
speak for oneself: give one’s own opinions: I’m not speaking for me and Jack, I’m speaking for myself
speak for yourself: [in imperative] used to tell someone that an opinion they have expressed is not shared by oneself:‘This is such a boring place.’ ‘Speak for yourself—I like it.’
speak in tongues: speak in an unknown language during religious worship, regarded as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).
speak one's mind: express one’s opinions frankly: he is a tough politician who speaks his mind in a blunt way
speak volumes: (of a gesture, circumstance, etc.) convey a great deal without using words:a look that spoke volumes his record speaks volumes for his determination
speak well (or ill) of: praise (or criticize): the patients speak well of their doctors
—— to speak of: [with negative] used to indicate that there is so little of something that it is hardly worth mentioning:I’ve no capital—well, none to speak of

speak out (or up): express one’s opinions frankly and publicly:the government will be forthright in speaking out against human rights abuses
speak up: speak more loudly:We can’t hear you. Speak up!
speak up for: speak in support of:there was no independent body to speak up for press freedoms

Old English sprecan, later specan, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch spreken and German sprechen

Definition of speak in the US English dictionary