Speech is the ability to speak or the act of speaking.
...the development of speech in children.
...a speech therapist specialising in stammering.
Synonyms: communication, talk, conversation, articulation More Synonyms of speech
2. singular noun [usually poss NOUN]
Your speech is the way in which you speak.
His speech became increasingly thick and nasal.
I'd make fun of her dress and imitate her speech.
Synonyms: diction, pronunciation, articulation, delivery More Synonyms of speech
3. uncountable noun
Speech is spoken language.
He could imitate in speech or writing most of those he admired.
...the way common letter clusters are usually pronounced in speech.
Synonyms: language, tongue, utterance, jargon More Synonyms of speech
4. countable noun
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience.
She is due to make a speech on the economy next week.
He delivered his speech in French.
...a dramatic resignation speech.
Synonyms: talk, address, lecture, discourse More Synonyms of speech
5. countable noun
A speech is a group of lines spoken by a character in a play.
...a great actor delivering a key speech from Hamlet.
6. See also direct speech, figure of speech, indirect speech, maiden speech, part of speech, reported speech
English Easy Learning GrammarReporting speechThere are two ways of writing down or reporting what was said on any occasion. Wecan repeat the actual words used (direct speech), Monica said, ‘There’s ... Read more
speech in British English
(spiːtʃ)
noun
1.
a.
the act or faculty of speaking, esp as possessed by persons
to have speech with somebody
b.
(as modifier)
speech therapy
2.
that which is spoken; utterance
3.
a talk or address delivered to an audience
4.
a person's characteristic manner of speaking
5.
a national or regional language or dialect
6. linguistics another word for parole (sense 5)
Word origin
Old English spēc; related to specan to speak
speech in American English
(spitʃ)
noun
1.
the act of speaking; expression or communication of thoughts and feelings by spoken words
2.
the power or ability to speak
3.
the manner of speaking
her lisping speech
4.
that which is spoken; utterance, remark, statement, talk, conversation, etc.
5.
a talk or address given to an audience
6.
the language used by a certain group of people; dialect or tongue
7.
the study of the theory and practice of oral expression and communication
8. Archaic
rumor; report
SYNONYMY NOTE: speech is the general word for a discourse delivered to an audience, whether prepared orimpromptu; , address implies a formal, carefully prepared speech and usually attributes importance tothe speaker or the speech [an address to a legislature]; oration suggests an eloquent, rhetorical, sometimes merely bombastic speech, esp. one deliveredon some special occasion [political orations at the picnic]; a lecture is a carefully prepared speech intended to inform or instruct the audience [a lecture to a college class]; talk suggests informality and is applied either to an impromptu speech or to an addressor lecture in which the speaker deliberately uses a simple, conversational approach;a , sermon is a speech by a clergyman intended to give religious or moral instruction and usuallybased on Scriptural text
Word origin
ME speche < OE spæc, spræc < base of sprecan, to speak: see speak
COBUILD Collocations
speech
campaign speech
conference speech
deliver a speech
give a speech
impassioned speech
inaugural speech
major speech
prepare a speech
resignation speech
rousing speech
short speech
slurred speech
stirring speech
victory speech
Examples of 'speech' in a sentence
speech
Sadly she seemed to lose the power of speech and the ability to read.
The Sun (2010)
He gave his acceptance speech in the college hall.
The Sun (2013)
No constitution in history has been more uncompromising about free speech.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It is not idiomatic in speech or informal writing.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Its members were not allowed to give speeches or to act like politicians.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He was a great dad but he was rather formal in his manner of speech.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He will attempt to stabilise his position today by giving a speech that addresses immigration concerns.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
No need for a speech next time.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There will be champagne and smiles and nobody will read a resignation speech.
The Sun (2016)
He will now make a series of speeches on the economy.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He gives a speech about how what really matters in life is the love and loyalty of family.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The speeches were under way when a couple of prop forwards wandered through the wrong door and became uninvited guests.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It was a far better clue to what he thought was really important than the reading of his letters or speeches.
Christianity Today (2000)
Last week 's speech had four essential messages.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
If they can make speech audible for the news, surely they can do it for drama.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He then gives his graduation speech out on his school's football field.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His campaign speech makes no reference to his father, who has made no appearances.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
His witty acceptance speech impressed an agent, who signed him up.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I leave my wet boots at the door and deliver political speeches in my socks.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Last week 's speech was decisive.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You also wonder whether your recent illness and lack of diagnosis has taken its toll on your son's ability with speech and language.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Victims can lose their sight, hearing, speech and ability to walk.
The Sun (2006)
Quotations
A speech is poetry: cadence, rhythm, imagery, sweep! A speech reminds us that words, like children, have the power to make dance the dullest beanbag of a heartPeggy NoonanWhat I Saw at the Revolution
A speech is like a love-affair. Any fool can start it, but to end it requires considerable skillLord Mancroft
Speech is the small-change of silenceGeorge MeredithThe Ordeal of Richard Feverel
Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while we long to make music that will melt the starsGustave FlaubertMadame Bovary
In other languages
speech
British English: speech /spiːtʃ/ NOUN
Speech is the ability to speak or the act of speaking.
...the development of speech in children.
American English: speech
Arabic: خِطَاب
Brazilian Portuguese: discurso
Chinese: 发言
Croatian: govor
Czech: řeč
Danish: tale
Dutch: speech
European Spanish: habla
Finnish: puhekyky
French: discours
German: Sprechen
Greek: ομιλία
Italian: discorso
Japanese: 言葉
Korean: 말
Norwegian: tale
Polish: przemówienie
European Portuguese: discurso
Romanian: vorbire
Russian: речь
Latin American Spanish: habla
Swedish: tal
Thai: การพูด
Turkish: konuşma
Ukrainian: промова
Vietnamese: khả năng nói
All related terms of 'speech'
free speech
the right to express one's opinions publicly
hate speech
speech disparaging a racial , sexual, or ethnic group or a member of such a group
speech act
an utterance that constitutes some act in addition to the mere act of uttering
speech day
In some British schools, speech day is a day, usually at the end of the school year , when prizes are presented to pupils and speeches are made by guest speakers and the head teacher .
speech form
→ linguistic form
budget speech
the speech in which the Chancellor presents the budget to parliament
direct speech
In grammar , direct speech is speech which is reported by using the exact words that the speaker used.
King's speech
(in Britain and the dominions of the Commonwealth ) the speech at the opening of each session of Parliament in which the Government outlines its legislative programme. It is read by the sovereign or his or her representative
maiden speech
A politician's maiden speech is the first speech that he or she makes in parliament after becoming a member of it.
major speech
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience .
short speech
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience .
speech bubble
a circle around the words that someone says in a cartoon
speech clinic
a place at which specialists in speech therapy treat people with a speech disorder
speech defect
a disorder of speech
speech maker
a person who makes a formal speech
speech making
the act of making a speech
speech organ
an organ involved in speech production , such as the tongue
speech sound
an individual sound unit of speech
stump speech
a campaign speech made by a politician running for election
campaign speech
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience .
curtain speech
a talk given in front of the curtain after a stage performance , often by the author or an actor
delayed speech
a speech disorder of children in which the levels of intelligibility, vocabulary , complexity of utterance , etc., are significantly below the levels considered standard for a particular age
indirect speech
Indirect speech is speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person's actual words: for example , 'They said you didn't like it', 'I asked her what her plans were', and ' Citizens complained about the smoke '.
keynote speech
the main speech at a formal gathering such as a conference
Queen's speech
(in Britain and the dominions of the Commonwealth ) the speech at the opening of each session of Parliament in which the Government outlines its legislative programme. It is read by the sovereign or his or her representative
reported speech
Reported speech is speech which tells you what someone said , but does not use the person's actual words : for example , 'They said you didn't like it', 'I asked her what her plans were', and ' Citizens complained about the smoke '.
rousing speech
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience .
slurred speech
Your speech is the way in which you speak.
speech disorder
an inability to produce normal speech
speech pattern
A pattern is the repeated or regular way in which something happens or is done.
speech-reading
a method used by deaf people to comprehend spoken words by interpreting movements of the speaker's lips
speech therapy
Speech therapy is the treatment of people who have speech and language problems .
speech training
training designed to improve spoken skills , such as voice projection
stirring speech
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience .
victory speech
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience .
visible speech
a system of phonetic notation invented by Alexander Melville Bell (1819–1905) that utilized symbols based on the schematic representation of the articulations used for each speech sound
acceptance speech
a speech that someone makes when they are accepting a prize , honour , or award
conference speech
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience .
give a speech
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience .
impassioned speech
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience .
inaugural speech
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience.
part of speech
A part of speech is a particular grammatical class of word, for example noun, adjective, or verb.
resignation speech
A speech is a formal talk which someone gives to an audience .
speech community
a community consisting of all the speakers of a particular language or dialect
speech difficulty
a problem encountered in speaking
speech impediment
a disorder affecting the capacity to produce normal speech
speech recognition
the understanding of continuous speech by a computer
speech synthesis
computer-generated audio output that imitates human speech
speech synthesiser
a computer system used for the purpose of imitating human speech
speech synthesizer
a computer system used for the purpose of imitating human speech
Chinese translation of 'speech'
speech
(spiːtʃ)
n
(c) (= formal talk) 演说(說) (yǎnshuō) (场(場), chǎng)
(u) (= faculty) 说(說)话(話)能力 (shuōhuà nénglì)
(s) (= manner of speaking) 说(說)话(話)方式 (shuōhuà fāngshì)
(u) (= spoken language) 口语(語) (kǒuyǔ)
(c) (Theat) 台(臺)词(詞) (táicí)
1 (noun)
Definition
spoken language
the development of speech in children
Synonyms
communication
The problem is a lack of real communication between you.
talk
toddlers babbling on in baby talk
conversation
Our telephone conversation lasted an hour and a half.
articulation
discussion
There was a discussion about the wording of the report.
dialogue
Those who witnessed their dialogue spoke of high emotion.
intercourse (formal)
There was social intercourse between the old and the young.
verbal communication
verbal expression
2 (noun)
Definition
a person's manner of speaking
His speech became increasingly thick and nasal.
Synonyms
diction
Clear diction is important in public speaking.
pronunciation
You'll have to forgive my bad French pronunciation.
articulation
an actor able to sustain clear articulation over long periods
delivery
His speeches were magnificent but his delivery was hopeless.
fluency
inflection
His voice was devoid of inflection.
intonation
His voice had a very slight German intonation.
elocution
He took courses in elocution and acting at the London Academy.
enunciation
3 (noun)
Definition
a national or regional language or dialect
the way common letter clusters are pronounced in speech
Synonyms
language
the English language
tongue
They feel passionately about their native tongue.
utterance
the simple utterance of a few platitudes
jargon
full of the jargon and slang of self-improvement courses
dialect
the number of Italians who speak only local dialect
idiom
I was irritated by his use of archaic idiom.
parlance
He is, in common parlance, a `sad loser'.
articulation
diction
lingo (informal)
I don't speak the lingo.
enunciation
4 (noun)
Definition
a talk given to an audience
He delivered his speech in French.
Synonyms
talk
The guide gave us a brief talk on the history of the site.
address
The president had scheduled an address to the people for that evening.
lecture
In his lecture he covered an enormous variety of topics.
discourse
He responds with a lengthy discourse on deployment strategy.
harangue
a political harangue
homily
a receptive audience for his homily on moral values
oration
a brief funeral oration
spiel (informal)
She had been hearing this kind of spiel for thirty years now.
disquisition
She launched into an authoritative disquisition.
whaikorero (New Zealand)
Quotations
A speech is poetry: cadence, rhythm, imagery, sweep! A speech reminds us that words, like children, have the power to make dance the dullest beanbag of a heart [Peggy Noonan – What I Saw at the Revolution]A speech is like a love-affair. Any fool can start it, but to end it requires considerable skill [Lord Mancroft]Speech is the small-change of silence [George Meredith – The Ordeal of Richard Feverel]Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while we long to make music that will melt the stars [Gustave Flaubert – Madame Bovary]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of address
Definition
a formal speech
The president had scheduled an address to the people for that evening.
Synonyms
speech,
talk,
lecture,
discourse,
sermon,
dissertation,
harangue,
homily,
oration,
spiel (informal),
disquisition
in the sense of articulation
Definition
the expressing of an idea in words
an actor able to sustain clear articulation over long periods
Synonyms
expression,
delivery,
pronunciation,
speech,
saying,
talking,
voicing,
speaking,
utterance,
diction,
enunciation,
vocalization,
verbalization
in the sense of conversation
Definition
informal talk between two or more people
Our telephone conversation lasted an hour and a half.
Synonyms
talk,
exchange,
discussion,
dialogue,
tête-à-tête,
conference,
communication,
chat,
gossip,
intercourse (formal),
discourse,
communion,
converse,
powwow,
colloquy (formal),
chinwag (British, informal),
confabulation,
confab (informal),
craic (Irish, informal),
korero (New Zealand)
Synonyms of 'speech'
speech
Explore 'speech' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of delivery
Definition
manner or style in public speaking
His speeches were magnificent but his delivery was hopeless.
Synonyms
speech,
speaking,
expression,
pronunciation,
utterance,
articulation,
intonation,
diction,
elocution,
enunciation,
vocalization
in the sense of dialect
Definition
a form of a language spoken in a particular geographical area
the number of Italians who speak only local dialect
Synonyms
language,
speech,
tongue,
jargon,
idiom,
vernacular,
brogue,
lingo (informal),
patois,
provincialism,
localism
in the sense of dialogue
Definition
conversation between two people
Those who witnessed their dialogue spoke of high emotion.
Synonyms
conversation,
discussion,
communication,
discourse,
interchange,
converse,
colloquy,
confabulation,
duologue,
interlocution
in the sense of discourse
Definition
a formal treatment of a subject in speech or writing
He responds with a lengthy discourse on deployment strategy.
Synonyms
speech,
talk,
address,
essay,
lecture,
sermon,
treatise,
dissertation,
homily,
oration,
disquisition,
whaikorero (New Zealand)
in the sense of discussion
There was a discussion about the wording of the report.
Synonyms
talk,
debate,
argument,
conference,
exchange,
review,
conversation,
consideration,
dialogue,
consultation,
seminar,
discourse,
deliberation,
symposium,
colloquy (formal),
confabulation,
korero (New Zealand)
in the sense of disquisition
Definition
a formal written or oral examination of a subject
She launched into an authoritative disquisition.
Synonyms
lecture,
discourse,
exposition,
dissertation,
paper,
essay,
thesis,
treatise
in the sense of elocution
Definition
the art of speaking clearly in public
He took courses in elocution and acting at the London Academy.
Synonyms
diction,
speech,
delivery,
rhetoric,
pronunciation,
utterance,
oratory,
articulation,
public speaking,
intonation,
modulation,
enunciation,
declamation,
speechmaking,
voice production
in the sense of harangue
Definition
a forceful or angry speech
a political harangue
Synonyms
rant,
address,
speech,
lecture,
tirade,
polemic,
broadside,
diatribe,
homily,
exhortation,
oration,
spiel (informal),
declamation,
philippic
in the sense of homily
Definition
a moralizing talk or piece of writing
a receptive audience for his homily on moral values
Synonyms
sermon,
talk,
address,
speech,
lecture,
preaching,
discourse,
oration,
declamation,
preachment
in the sense of idiom
Definition
the characteristic vocabulary or usage of a person or group
I was irritated by his use of archaic idiom.
Synonyms
language,
talk,
style,
usage,
jargon,
vernacular,
parlance,
mode of expression
Additional synonyms
in the sense of inflection
Definition
change in the pitch of the voice
His voice was devoid of inflection.
Synonyms
intonation,
stress,
emphasis,
beat,
measure,
rhythm,
cadence,
modulation,
accentuation
in the sense of intercourse
Definition
communication or dealings between individuals or groups
There was social intercourse between the old and the young.
Synonyms
contact,
relationships,
communication,
association,
relations,
trade,
traffic,
connection,
truck,
commerce (literary),
dealings,
correspondence,
communion,
converse,
intercommunication
in the sense of intonation
Definition
the act of intoning
His voice had a very slight German intonation.
Synonyms
tone,
inflection,
cadence,
modulation,
accentuation
in the sense of jargon
Definition
specialized language relating to a particular subject, profession, or group
full of the jargon and slang of self-improvement courses
Synonyms
parlance,
slang,
idiom,
patter,
tongue,
usage,
dialect,
cant,
lingo (informal),
patois,
argot,
leetspeak, l33tspeak or 1337speak,
netspeak
in the sense of lecture
Definition
a talk on a particular subject delivered to an audience
In his lecture he covered an enormous variety of topics.
Synonyms
talk,
address,
speech,
lesson,
instruction,
presentation,
discourse,
sermon,
exposition,
harangue,
oration,
disquisition,
webinar
in the sense of lingo
Definition
any foreign or unfamiliar language or jargon
I don't speak the lingo.
Synonyms
language,
jargon,
dialect,
talk,
speech,
tongue,
idiom,
vernacular,
patter,
cant,
patois,
argot (formal)
in the sense of oration
Definition
a formal or ceremonial public speech
a brief funeral oration
Synonyms
speech,
talk,
address,
lecture,
discourse,
harangue,
homily,
spiel (informal),
disquisition,
declamation,
whaikorero (New Zealand)
in the sense of parlance
Definition
the manner of speaking associated with a particular group or subject
He is, in common parlance, a `sad loser'.
Synonyms
language,
talk,
speech,
tongue,
jargon,
idiom,
lingo (informal),
phraseology,
manner of speaking
in the sense of pronunciation
Definition
the way in which someone pronounces words
You'll have to forgive my bad French pronunciation.
Synonyms
intonation,
accent,
speech,
stress,
articulation,
inflection,
diction,
elocution,
enunciation,
accentuation
in the sense of spiel
Definition
a prepared speech made to persuade someone to buy or do something
She had been hearing this kind of spiel for thirty years now.
Synonyms
patter,
speech,
pitch,
recital,
harangue,
sales talk,
sales patter
Additional synonyms
in the sense of tongue
Definition
a language, dialect, or idiom
They feel passionately about their native tongue.
Synonyms
language,
speech,
vernacular,
talk,
dialect,
idiom,
parlance,
lingo (informal),
patois,
argot
in the sense of utterance
Definition
the expression in words of ideas, thoughts, or feelings