speaking

SaySPEE-king/ˈspi.kɪŋ/UK · AUS/ˈspiː.kɪŋ/

Noun pluralspeakings (some meanings)

10 meanings of speaking

Practice

1
verb
Present participle and gerund of speak. Use this -ing form for an action happening now.
She is speaking to her class about fire safety.
Speaking clearly helps other people understand you.
Note
2
adjectivein compounds
Able to talk in a certain language well enough to get by.
Like knowing enough of a language to chat, even if you can't read it.
She has a speaking knowledge of Italian but reads it poorly.
A speaking command of Arabic helped him during the trip.
Similarconversational, spoken, oral
Oppositewritten
Note
3
adjective
Having to do with talking out loud, like a part in a play.
She landed a speaking part in the school play.
His speaking engagement drew a large crowd downtown.
4
noununcountable
The act of talking out loud to other people.
Public speaking is a skill many workers want to improve.
Her slow, careful speaking made the lecture easy to follow.
Similarspeech, talking, delivery, elocution, diction
Note
5
adjective
Used for talking rather than for singing or other sounds.
Her speaking voice is much lower than her singing voice.
He kept a calm speaking tone all through the meeting.
Note
6
adjective
Able to talk or make words.
Like a doll that can say words when you press it.
The toy is a speaking doll that says ten phrases.
In the fable, a speaking fox tricks the hungry crow.
Oppositemute
7
noununcountable
The skill of talking in a language.
Her speaking improved faster than her writing in the new language.
The language exam tests reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Similarconversation, speech
8
interjection
A reply on the phone that means you are the person the caller wants.
"May I speak with Dr. Lee?" "Speaking."
My friend tried my new cell number and asked, "Um, is Jake there?" I laughed and said, "Speaking! You got the right number."
Note
9
adjective
Showing feelings so clearly it is almost like talking.
Like a face that tells you everything without saying a word.
She gave him a speaking look that needed no words.
The portrait was a speaking likeness of her late father.
Similarexpressive, eloquent, telling, meaningful, lifelike
Oppositeblank, expressionless, inexpressive
Note
10
nouncountable
A telling of a story or poem out loud.
The festival closed with a speaking of the old legend.
Each speaking of the poem brought out something new.
Similarrecitation, telling, narration, rendition, recital

speaking is a form of speak

speak, verb: To say words out loud using your voice. Full entry

Forms: speakspeaks he/she/itspeaking -ing formspoke past tensespoken past participle
Spelling: speak → speaking: add -ing

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of speaking apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 2–3, 5–6, 9

This comes from Old English, from an old word meaning "to speak." It is "speak" plus "-ing."

Meanings 4, 7, 10

This is the word "speak" plus the ending "-ing."