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View synonyms for

speaking

[ spee-king ]

noun

  1. the act, utterance, or discourse of a person who speaks.
  2. speakings, literary works composed for recitation, as ancient bardic poetry; oral literature.


adjective

  1. that speaks.
  2. used in, suited to, or involving speaking or talking:

    the speaking voice.

  3. of or relating to declamation.
  4. giving information as if by speech:

    a speaking proof of a thing.

  5. highly expressive:

    speaking eyes.

  6. lifelike:

    a speaking likeness.

speaking

/ ˈ辱ːɪŋ /

adjective

  1. prenominal eloquent, impressive, or striking
    1. able to speak
    2. in combination able to speak a particular language

      French-speaking

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • 𲹰iԲ· adverb
  • 𲹰iԲ·Ա noun
  • ԴDz·𲹰iԲ adjective
  • ɱ-𲹰iԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of speaking1

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; speak, -ing 1, -ing 2
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. not on speaking terms, not or no longer in a relationship of open, willing, or ready communication, as because of resentment or estrangement:

    They had a squabble during the holidays, and now they're not on speaking terms.

  2. on speaking terms,
    1. in a relationship close enough for or limited to friendly superficialities:

      I don't know the hosts well, but we are certainly on speaking terms.

    2. in a relationship of open, willing, or ready communication:

      Now that the debt has been settled, I hope you and your partner are on speaking terms again.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“I pray they back off and see that there would be real glory in speaking up and supporting ’60 Minutes,’ which is truly a national treasure,” Bettag said.

From

BBC Verify has looked at the agency's biggest claimed savings, examining the figures and speaking to experts.

From

When I saw that YouTube video of Ryan Coogler talking about the different aspect ratios, I was like, “This guy is speaking to me.”

From

And in speaking to his team, he brought visual aides.

From

She praised the parents who were speaking out.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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