Speaking vs. Speak — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Speaking and Speak
ADVERTISEMENT
Compare with Definitions
Speaking
Capable of speech.
Speak
Say something in order to convey information or to express a feeling
In his agitation he was unable to speak
She refused to speak about the incident
Speaking
Involving speaking or talking
Has a speaking part in the play.
Speak
Talk to in order to reprove or advise
She tried to speak to Seb about his drinking
Speaking
Expressive or telling; eloquent.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speak
(of behaviour, an object, etc.) serve as evidence for something
His frame spoke tiredness
Everything in the house spoke of hard times and neglect
Speaking
True to life; lifelike
A speaking likeness.
Speak
(of a musical instrument or other object) make a sound when functioning
Insufficient air circulates for the pipes to speak
The gun spoke again
Speaking
Used in speaking.
One's normal speaking voice
Speak
To produce words by means of sounds; talk
Can the baby speak yet?.
Speaking
Expressive; eloquent.
The sight was more speaking than any speech could be.
Speak
To express thoughts or feelings to convey information in speech or writing
He spoke of his desire to travel. In her poem she speaks about loss.
Speaking
Involving speaking.
It was her first speaking part: she screamed.
Speak
To convey information or ideas in text
Their book speaks about adopting children.
Speaking
Having the ability of speech.
Speaking parrot; speaking clock
Speak
To engage in conversation
Can we speak for a few minutes about the assignment?.
Speaking
(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
Speak
To be friendly or willing to communicate; be on speaking terms
They are no longer speaking.
Speaking
One's ability to communicate vocally in a given language.
I can read and understand most texts in German, but my speaking is awful.
Speak
To deliver an address or lecture
The mayor spoke at the rally.
Speaking
The act of communicating vocally.
Speak
To act as spokesperson
I speak for the entire staff.
Speaking
An oral recitation of e.g. a story.
Speak
To convey information through another person
The family spoke to the media through their trusted adviser.
Speaking
Present participle of speak
Speak
To convey a message by nonverbal means
Actions speak louder than words.
Speaking
(telephone) Indication that the person requested is the same as the one who is currently speaking.
Speak
To give an indication or suggestion
His manners spoke of good upbringing.
Speaking
Uttering speech; used for conveying speech; as, man is a speaking animal; a speaking tube.
Speak
To be appealing
His poetry speaks to one's heart.
Speaking
Seeming to be capable of speech; hence, lifelike; as, a speaking likeness.
Speak
To make a reservation or request. Used with for
Has anyone spoken for the last piece of pizza?.
Speaking
The act of uttering words.
Speak
To produce a characteristic sound
The drums spoke.
Speaking
Public declamation; oratory.
Speak
To give off a sound on firing. Used of guns or cannon.
Speaking
The utterance of intelligible speech
Speak
To say with the voice; pronounce or utter
She spoke the words with a French accent.
Speaking
Delivering an address to a public audience;
People came to see the candidates and hear the speechmaking
Speak
To converse in or be able to converse in (a language)
Speaks German.
Speaking
Capable of or involving speech or speaking;
Human beings--the speaking animals
A speaking part in the play
Speak
To express in words; tell
Speak the truth.
Speaking
Capable of speech;
The speaking animal
Speak
(Nautical) To hail and communicate with (another vessel) at sea.
Speak
To convey by nonverbal means
His eyes spoke volumes.
Speak
(intransitive) To communicate with one's voice, to say words out loud.
I was so surprised I couldn't speak.
You're speaking too fast.
Speak
To have a conversation.
It's been ages since we've spoken.
Speak
(by extension) To communicate or converse by some means other than orally, such as writing or facial expressions.
He spoke of it in his diary.
Speak to me only with your eyes.
Actions speak louder than words.
Speak
(intransitive) To deliver a message to a group; to deliver a speech.
This evening I shall speak on the topic of correct English usage.
Speak
To be able to communicate in a language.
He speaks Mandarin fluently.
Speak
(by extension) To be able to communicate in the manner of specialists in a field.
Speak
(transitive) To utter.
I was so surprised that I couldn't speak a word.
Speak
(transitive) To communicate (some fact or feeling); to bespeak, to indicate.
Speak
To understand (as though it were a language).
Sorry, I don't speak idiot.
So you can program in C. But do you speak C++?
Speak
(intransitive) To produce a sound; to sound.
Speak
Of a bird, to be able to vocally reproduce words or phrases from a human language.
Speak
To address; to accost; to speak to.
Speak
Language, jargon, or terminology used uniquely in a particular environment or group.
Corporate speak; IT speak.
Speak
Speech, conversation.
Speak
(dated) a low class bar, a speakeasy.
Speak
To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words; as, the organs may be so obstructed that a man may not be able to speak.
Till at the last spake in this manner.
Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.
Speak
To express opinions; to say; to talk; to converse.
That fluid substance in a few minutes begins to set, as the tradesmen speak.
An honest man, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not.
During the century and a half which followed the Conquest, there is, to speak strictly, no English history.
Speak
To utter a speech, discourse, or harangue; to adress a public assembly formally.
Many of the nobility made themselves popular by speaking in Parliament against those things which were most grateful to his majesty.
Speak
To discourse; to make mention; to tell.
Lycan speaks of a part of Cæsar's army that came to him from the Leman Lake.
Speak
To give sound; to sound.
Make all our trumpets speak.
Speak
To convey sentiments, ideas, or intelligence as if by utterance; as, features that speak of self-will.
Thine eye begins to speak.
Speak
To utter with the mouth; to pronounce; to utter articulately, as human beings.
They sat down with him upn ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him.
Speak
To utter in a word or words; to say; to tell; to declare orally; as, to speak the truth; to speak sense.
Speak
To declare; to proclaim; to publish; to make known; to exhibit; to express in any way.
It is my father;s musteTo speak your deeds.
Speaking a still good morrow with her eyes.
And for the heaven's wide circuit, let it speakThe maker's high magnificence.
Report speaks you a bonny monk.
Speak
To talk or converse in; to utter or pronounce, as in conversation; as, to speak Latin.
And French she spake full fair and fetisely.
Speak
To address; to accost; to speak to.
[He will] thee in hope; he will speak thee fair.
Each village senior paused to scanAnd speak the lovely caravan.
Speak
Express in speech;
She talks a lot of nonsense
This depressed patient does not verbalize
Speak
Exchange thoughts; talk with;
We often talk business
Actions talk louder than words
Speak
Use language;
The baby talks already
The prisoner won't speak
They speak a strange dialect
Speak
Give a speech to;
The chairman addressed the board of trustees
Speak
Make a characteristic or natural sound;
The drums spoke
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Gather vs. Gether
Next Comparison
Biosafety vs. Biosecurity
