Speaking

/ˈspiː.kɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

verb
The action of conveying information or expressing one's thoughts and feelings in spoken language.
He is speaking to the audience about climate change.
Using words to communicate verbally.
She was speaking so quickly that I could hardly understand her.
To express opinions or ideas verbally.
Speaking from personal experience, I can say that hard work pays off.
Engaging in spoken conversation.
They were speaking to each other in hushed tones during the meeting.
adjective
Relating to or characterized by the verbal expression of thoughts and feelings.
His speaking ability impressed everyone at the conference.
Having a clear and articulate manner of expressing oneself verbally.
She was known for her speaking prowess and could captivate any audience.

Etymology

From the Old English 'specan', meaning to speak or tell.

Common Phrases and Expressions

speaking of
referring to a related topic.
public speaking
the act of performing a speech to a live audience.
speaking volumes
indicating something clearly without words.

Related Words

speak
to utter words or articulate sounds to convey meaning.
speaker
a person who speaks, especially in public.
speech
the expression of thoughts and feelings by articulate sounds.

Slang Meanings

Spitting game
He's got a way of speaking that really pulls people in; he’s spitting game.
Chit-chat
We were just having some chit-chat while waiting for the movie to start.