speak (spēk)

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[Middle English speken, from Old English sprecan, specan.]

verb: spoke (spōk), spo·ken (spṓkən), speak·ing, speaks. 

intransitive verb 

1. To utter words or articulate sounds with ordinary speech modulation; talk.
2. 1. To convey thoughts, opinions, or emotions orally.
   2. To express oneself.
   3. To be on speaking terms: They are no longer speaking.
3. To deliver an address or lecture: The mayor spoke at the rally.
4. 1. To make a statement in writing: The biography speaks of great loneliness.
   2. To act as spokesperson: spoke for the entire staff.
5. 1. To convey a message by nonverbal means: Actions speak louder than words.
   2. To be expressive: spoke with her eyes.
   3. To be appealing: His poetry speaks to one's heart.
6. To make a reservation or request. Often used with for: Is this dance spoken for? I spoke for the last slice of pizza.
7. 1. To produce a characteristic sound: The drums spoke.
   2. To give off a sound on firing. Used of guns or cannon.
8. To make communicative sounds.
9. To give an indication or a suggestion: His manners spoke of good upbringing.

transitive verb 

1. To articulate in a speaking voice: spoke words of wisdom.
2. To converse in or be able to converse in (a language): speaks German.
3. 1. To express aloud; tell: speak the truth.
   2. To express in writing.
4. Nautical To hail and communicate with (another vessel) at sea.
5. To convey by nonverbal means: His eyes spoke volumes.

phrasal verbs

speak out

To talk freely and fearlessly, as about a public issue.

speak up

To speak loud enough to be audible.

To speak without fear or hesitation.

idioms

so to speak

In a manner of speaking: can't see the forest for the trees, so to speak.

speak down to

To speak condescendingly to: She never spoke down to her audience.

to speak of

Worthy of mention: There's nothing new to speak of.

derivatives

speaḱa·ble

adjective

synonyms:

speak, talk, converse¹discourse These verbs mean to express one's thoughts by uttering words. Speak and talk, often interchangeable, are the most general: He ate without once speaking to his companion. “On an occasion of this kind it becomes more than a moral duty to speak one's mind. It becomes a pleasure” (Oscar Wilde) I want to talk with you about vacation plans. “Let's talk sense to the American people” (Adlai E. Stevenson) Converse stresses interchange of thoughts and ideas: “With thee conversing I forget all time” (John Milton) Discourse usually refers to formal, extended speech: “striding through the city, stick in hand, discoursing spontaneously on the writings of Hazlitt” (Manchester Guardian Weekly)