speech Meaning & Definition
What Does Speech Mean?
Speech is used as a noun meaning The ability to speak; the faculty of uttering words or articulate sounds and vocalizations to communicate. It is also used to mean The act of speaking, a certain style of it. As a verb, it means To make (a speech); to harangue.
Speech in Brief
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //spiːt͡ʃ// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | address, lecture and language |
| Plural | speeches |
| Verb forms | speeches, speeching, speeched |
Speech Definition (Noun)
- The ability to speak; the faculty of uttering words or articulate sounds and vocalizations to communicate.
He had a bad speech impediment.
- The act of speaking, a certain style of it.
It was hard to hear his speech over the noise.
- A formal session of speaking, especially a long oral message given publicly by one person.
The candidate made some ambitious promises in his campaign speech.
- A dialect, vernacular, or a language.
- Language used orally, rather than in writing.
This word is mostly used in speech.
- An utterance that is quoted; see direct speech, reported speech
- Public talk, news, gossip, rumour.
Speech as a Verb
- To make (a speech); to harangue.
Noun
- The faculty of uttering articulate sounds or words; the ability to speak or to use vocalizations to communicate.
It was hard to hear the sounds of his speech over the noise. He had a bad speech impediment.
- A session of speaking, especially a long oral message given publicly by one person.
The candidate made some ambitious promises in his campaign speech.
- A style of speaking.
Her speech was soft and lilting.
- (grammar) Speech reported in writing; see direct speech, reported speech
- A dialect or language.
- Talk; mention; rumour.
Synonyms of Speech
Antonyms of Speech
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Speech in a Sentence
He had a bad speech impediment.
After the accident she lost her speech.
It was hard to hear his speech over the noise.
Her speech was soft and lilting.
The candidate made some ambitious promises in his campaign speech.
This word is mostly used in speech.
It was hard to hear the sounds of his speech over the noise. He had a bad speech impediment.
Word Forms & Grammar
speech (countable and uncountable, plural speeches)
speech (third-person singular simple present speeches, present participle speeching, simple past and past participle speeched)
Words That Rhyme With Speech
Origin of Speech
From Middle English speche, from Old English spǣċ, sprǣċ (“speech, discourse, language”), from Proto-West Germanic *sprāku (“speech, language”), from Proto-Indo-European *spereg-, *spreg- (“to make a sound”). Cognate with Dutch spraak (“speech”), German Sprache (“language, speech”). More at speak.
Speech Pronunciation
The standard pronunciation of speech is //spiːt͡ʃ//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Speech
Is speech a noun or a verb?
Speech is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for speech?
You can replace speech with words such as address, lecture and language. See the full list of speech synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of speech?
The plural of speech is speeches.
What is the past tense of speech?
The past tense of speech is speeched. The present participle is speeching.
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