speaking
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speaking¹
- /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/ UK
- /ˈspi.kɪŋ/ Canada, US
- /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/ Australia
- [ˈspɪi̯.kɪŋ] Australia
Rhymes with -iːkɪŋ
Where it comes from
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”).
adjective
- Used in speaking. one's normal speaking voice
- Expressive; eloquent. The sight was more speaking than any speech could be.
- Involving speaking. It was her first speaking part: she screamed.
- Having the ability of speech. speaking parrot; speaking clock
- Having competence in a language. The English-speaking gentleman gave us directions.
Opposite: unspeaking, nonspeaking
speaking²
- /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/ UK
- /ˈspi.kɪŋ/ Canada, US
- /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/ Australia
- [ˈspɪi̯.kɪŋ] Australia
Rhymes with -iːkɪŋ
Where it comes from
From Middle English speking, spekynge, equivalent to speak + -ing.
noun speakings
- One's ability to communicate vocally in a given language. I can read and understand most texts in German, but my speaking is awful.
- 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.
- A speaking exercise or exam.
- An oral recitation of e.g. a story.
speaking³
- /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/ UK
- /ˈspi.kɪŋ/ Canada, US
- /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/ Australia
- [ˈspɪi̯.kɪŋ] Australia
Rhymes with -iːkɪŋ
Where it comes from
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
verb
- present participle and gerund of speak Who is that speaking? -Hi. This is José García (speaking).
interjection
- Indication that the person requested is the same as the one who is currently speaking.
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: articulate, public speaking, talking, mumbling, muttering, tongued, oral presentation, speech-endowed, speech production, say, speaker, expression, saying, speech, interpretation, mention
adjective
Opposite: unspeaking, nonspeaking
Translations
Every language
adj having the ability of speech
| Deutsch | Sprech-, -sprachig, -sprechend, sprechend, Rede-, rede- |
|---|---|
| Русский | говоря́щий govorjáščij |
noun ability to communicate vocally
| Español | oratoria, habla, fabla (disused) |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 말하기 malhagi |
| 日本語 | 話すこと hanasu koto, スピーキング supīkingu, 言葉 kotoba |
| 中文 | 說 /说 shuō, 講 /讲 jiǎng, 口語 /口语 kǒuyǔ |
| Français | parole |
| Deutsch | Sprechen |
| Русский | говоре́ние govorénije, разгово́р razgovór |
| العربية | كَلَام kalām, تَكَلُّم takallum, تَحَدُّث taḥadduṯ |
noun the act of communicating vocally
| Español | habla, fabla (disused) |
|---|---|
| Русский | разгово́р razgovór |
noun an oral recitation
| Русский | речь rečʹ, выступле́ние vystuplénije |
|---|
intj indication that the person requested is the same as the one who is currently speaking
| Deutsch | am Apparat |
|---|
Talk about this word "speaking." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/speaking. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. speaking. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/speaking "speaking." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/speaking.Cite this
@misc{speaking_2026,
title = {speaking},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/speaking},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
