speak

About 67.55 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To communicate with one's voice, to say words out loud.

   I was so surprised I couldn't speak.

2. verb To have a conversation.

   It's been ages since we've spoken.

3. verb To communicate or converse by some means other than orally, such as writing or facial expressions.

   He spoke of it in his diary.

4. verb To deliver a message to a group; to deliver a speech.

   This evening I shall speak on the topic of correct English usage.

5. verb To be able to communicate in a language.

   He speaks Mandarin fluently.

6. verb To be able to communicate in the manner of specialists in a field.
7. verb To utter.

   I was so surprised that I couldn't speak a word.

8. verb To communicate (some fact or feeling); to bespeak, to indicate.

Similar words

verbalize talk address utter mouth articulate speaker say conversation mention

Often followed by

of to with in for the about out and

Word family

speakable speaking speaks spoke spoken