speaking

One's ability to communicate vocally in a given language.

Adjective

  1. Used in speaking.
    • one's normal speaking voice
  2. Expressive; eloquent.
    • The sight was more speaking than any speech could be.
    • There was no reply, save on the speaking countenance. - 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XLIV, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn,...
    • Then we read Spear's confrontational commentary on the "Richard Pryor Incident" from the Black perspective...and suddenly we began to feel that GCN's window on the Gay World was something we couldn't live without since...
  3. Involving speaking.
    • It was her first speaking part: she screamed.
  4. Having the ability of speech.
    • speaking parrot; speaking clock

    1. (in compounds) Having competence in a language.

      • The English-speaking gentleman gave us directions.
      • I travel in Russian-speaking countries.
      • The French-speaking world listened in to the broadcast.

Origin

From Middle English spekinge, spekynge, spekinde, spekende, spekande, spekand, from Old English specende, sprecende (“speaking”), from Proto-Germanic *sprekandz (“speaking”), present participle of Proto-Germanic *sprekaną (“to speak”). Equivalent to speak + -ing. Cognate with Scots speikand, speikin (“speaking”), Saterland Frisian spreekend (“speaking”), West Frisian sprekkend (“speaking”), Dutch sprekend (“speaking”), German Low German sprekend (“speaking”), German sprechend (“speaking”).

Antonyms

unspeaking nonspeaking

Derived

English-speaking forthspeaking speakingly speakingness speaking objection

Interjection

  1. Indication that the person requested is the same as the one who is currently speaking.

Origin

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Noun

  1. One's ability to communicate vocally in a given language.
    • I can read and understand most texts in German, but my speaking is awful.
  2. The act of communicating vocally.
    • Sometimes, a brawl would erupt, as a result, but, in general, public speakings were peaceful events and essential ingredients for election to office. - 2011, Jimmie W. Greene, Samuel D. Perry, Bridge Builder, page 50:
  3. A speaking exercise or exam.
  4. An oral recitation of e.g. a story.

Origin

From Middle English speking, spekynge, equivalent to speak + -ing.

Forms

speakings

Derived

evil-speaking forthspeaking gainspeaking lawspeaking tongues-speaking

Verb

  1. present participle and gerund of speak
    • Who is that speaking? -Hi. This is José García (speaking).