Look up a word, learn it forever.
Other forms: speeches
When you say something out loud, that's speech . When you give a speech , you say a lot of things in front of a group. Maybe you should open with a joke?
The ability to produce and understand speech in complex ways has long been considered part of what separates humans from other animals. "Freedom of speech " is the right to express your thoughts and opinions publicly. Adjectives, nouns and verbs are "parts of speech ." By the way: speech is a noun.
- noun (language) communication by word of mouth “his speech was garbled” synonyms: language , oral communication , speech communication , spoken communication , spoken language , voice communication see more see less types: show 63 types... hide 63 types... words the words that are spoken orthoepy , pronunciation the way a word or a language is customarily spoken conversation the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc. discussion , give-and-take , word an exchange of views on some topic expression , locution , saying a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations non-standard speech speech that differs from the usual accepted, easily recognizable speech of native adult members of a speech community idiolect the language or speech of one individual at a particular period in life monologue a long utterance by one person (especially one that prevents others from participating in the conversation) charm , magic spell , magical spell , spell a verbal formula believed to have magical force dictation speech intended for reproduction in writing monologue , soliloquy speech you make to yourself Beatitude one of the eight sayings of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; in Latin each saying begins with `beatus' (blessed) logion a saying of Jesus that is regarded as authentic although it is not recorded in the Gospels calque , calque formation , loan translation an expression introduced into one language by translating it from another language advice and consent a legal expression in the United States Constitution that allows the Senate to constrain the President's powers of appointment and treaty-making ambiguity an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context euphemism an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh dysphemism an offensive or disparaging expression that is substituted for an inoffensive one shucks an expression of disappointment or irritation Received Pronunciation the approved pronunciation of British English; originally based on the King's English as spoken at public schools and at Oxford and Cambridge Universities (and widely accepted elsewhere in Britain); until recently it was the pronunciation of English used in British broadcasting tongue twister an expression that is difficult to articulate clearly crossfire a lively or heated interchange of ideas and opinions phatic communication , phatic speech conversational speech used to communicate sociability more than information exchange a mutual expression of views (especially an unpleasant one) chat , confab , confabulation , schmoose , schmooze an informal conversation gossiping , gossipmongering a conversation that spreads personal information about other people talk , talking an exchange of ideas via conversation nothings inconsequential conversation commerce social exchange, especially of opinions, attitudes, etc. colloquy formal conversation argument , argumentation , debate a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal rap voluble conversation rap session conversation in a situation where feelings can be expressed and criticized or supported second-hand speech overheard conversation (especially overheard cellphone conversation) table talk conversation during a meal telephone conversation a conversation over the telephone tete-a-tete a private conversation between two people deliberation (usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question conference , group discussion a discussion among participants who have an agreed (serious) topic panel discussion discussion of a subject of public interest by a group of persons forming a panel usually before an audience post-mortem , postmortem discussion of an event after it has occurred public discussion , ventilation free and open discussion of (or debate on) some question of public interest dialogue , negotiation , talks a discussion intended to produce an agreement anatomical , anatomical reference an expression that relates to anatomy southernism a locution or pronunciation peculiar to the southern United States catchword , motto , shibboleth , slogan a favorite saying of a sect or political group axiom , maxim a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits epigram , quip a witty saying adage , byword , proverb , saw a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people idiom , idiomatic expression , phrasal idiom , phrase , set phrase an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up agrapha sayings of Jesus not recorded in the canonical Gospels sumpsimus a correct expression that takes the place of a popular but incorrect expression baby talk , babytalk the developing speech of a young child baby talk , babytalk , motherese an adult's imitation of the speech of a young child accent , dialect , idiom the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people localism a phrase or pronunciation that is peculiar to a particular locality regionalism a feature (as a pronunciation or expression or custom) that is characteristic of a particular region telegraphese language characterized by terseness and ellipsis as in telegrams vernacular the everyday speech of the people (as distinguished from literary language) argot , cant , jargon , lingo , patois , slang , vernacular a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves) slang , slang expression , slang term informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions; often vituperative or vulgar conjuration , incantation a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect curse , hex , jinx , whammy an evil spell type of: auditory communication communication that relies on hearing
- noun the exchange of spoken words “they were perfectly comfortable together without speech ” see more see less type of: speaking , speech production the utterance of intelligible speech
- noun a lengthy rebuke synonyms: lecture , talking to see more see less types: preaching , sermon a moralistic rebuke curtain lecture a private lecture to a husband by his wife type of: rebuke , reprehension , reprimand , reproof , reproval an act or expression of criticism and censure
- noun something spoken “he could hear them uttering merry speeches ” see more see less type of: utterance , vocalization the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
- noun the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience synonyms: address see more see less examples: Gettysburg Address a three-minute address by Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War at the dedication of a national cemetery on the site of the Battle of Gettysburg (November 19, 1863) types: show 24 types... hide 24 types... allocution (rhetoric) a formal or authoritative address that advises or exhorts colloquium an address to an academic meeting or seminar dithyramb a wildly enthusiastic speech or piece of writing impromptu an extemporaneous speech or remark inaugural , inaugural address an address delivered at an inaugural ceremony (especially by a United States president) lecture , public lecture , talk a speech that is open to the public litany any long and tedious address or recital oratory addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous) oral presentation , public speaking , speaking , speechmaking delivering an address to a public audience discourse , preaching , sermon an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service) reading , recital , recitation a public instance of reciting or repeating (from memory) something prepared in advance keynote address , keynote speech a speech setting forth the keynote nominating address , nominating speech , nomination an address (usually at a political convention) proposing the name of a candidate to run for election oration an instance of oratory debate , disputation , public debate the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote) declamation vehement oratory epideictic oratory a type of oratory used to eulogize or condemn a person or group of people stump speech political oratory salutatory , salutatory address , salutatory oration an opening or welcoming statement (especially one delivered at graduation exercises) valediction , valedictory , valedictory address , valedictory oration a farewell oration (especially one delivered during graduation exercises by an outstanding member of a graduating class) baccalaureate a farewell sermon to a graduating class at their commencement ceremonies kerugma , kerygma preaching the gospel of Christ in the manner of the early church evangelism zealous preaching and advocacy of the gospel homily , preachment a sermon on a moral or religious topic type of: speech act the use of language to perform some act
- noun words making up the dialogue of a play “the actor forgot his speech ” synonyms: actor's line , words see more see less types: show 6 types... hide 6 types... aside a line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage cue an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech monologue a (usually long) dramatic speech by a single actor soliloquy a (usually long) dramatic speech intended to give the illusion of unspoken reflections throwaway words spoken in a casual way with conscious under-emphasis prompt , prompting a cue given to a performer (usually the beginning of the next line to be spoken) type of: line text consisting of a row of words written across a page or computer screen
- noun your characteristic style or manner of expressing yourself orally “her speech was barren of southernisms” “I detected a slight accent in his speech ” synonyms: delivery , manner of speaking see more see less types: show 17 types... hide 17 types... address the manner of speaking to another individual catch a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion) tongue a manner of speaking shibboleth a manner of speaking that is distinctive of a particular group of people tone , tone of voice the quality of a person's voice elocution an expert manner of speaking involving control of voice and gesture inflection , prosody the patterns of stress and intonation in a language inflection , modulation a manner of speaking in which the loudness or pitch or tone of the voice is modified sharp tongue a bitter or critical manner of speaking note a tone of voice that shows what the speaker is feeling rotundity , roundness the fullness of a tone of voice undertone a quiet or hushed tone of voice cadence , intonation , modulation , pitch contour rise and fall of the voice pitch caesura a break or pause (usually for sense) in the middle of a verse line enjambement , enjambment the continuation of a syntactic unit from one line of verse into the next line without a pause accent , emphasis , stress the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch) rhythm , speech rhythm the arrangement of spoken words alternating stressed and unstressed elements type of: expressive style , style a way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period
- noun the mental faculty or power of vocal communication synonyms: language see more see less type of: faculty , mental faculty , module one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
Vocabulary lists containing speech
The Academy Awards have been presented every year since 1929. Although some changes have occurred since then – the venue and award categories – the art deco Oscar statue has remained virtually the same. Celebrate this collection of essential terms necessary for any viewer to enjoy the famous ceremony. Here are links to our lists in the collection: List 1 , List 2 , List 3 , List 4 , List 5 , List 6
Learn these words from the historical fiction by Jane Yolen (Inside: Level B, Unit 5). Here are our links to the selections of "Close Encounters": Encounter , Culture Clash , Mexico City , When Cultures Meet , Old World New World; The Log of Christopher Columbus Here are our links to the units of Level B: Unit 1 , Unit 2 , Unit 3 , Unit 4 , Unit 5 , Unit 6 , Unit 7 , Unit 8 Here are our links to the Inside books: Level A , Level B , Level C Here is our link to a list of academic vocabulary for Inside: Academic Vocabulary
Sign up now (it’s free!)
Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement..
- Daily Crossword
- Word Puzzle
- Word Finder
- Word of the Day
- Synonym of the Day
- Word of the Year
- Language stories
- All featured
- Gender and sexuality
- All pop culture
- Writing hub
- Grammar essentials
- Commonly confused
- All writing tips
- Pop culture
- Writing tips
Advertisement
Losing her speech made her feel isolated from humanity.
Synonyms: communication , conversation , parley , parlance
He expresses himself better in speech than in writing.
We waited for some speech that would indicate her true feelings.
Synonyms: talk , mention , comment , asseveration , assertion , observation
a fiery speech.
Synonyms: discourse , talk
- any single utterance of an actor in the course of a play, motion picture, etc.
Synonyms: patois , tongue
Your slovenly speech is holding back your career.
- a field of study devoted to the theory and practice of oral communication.
- Archaic. rumor .
to have speech with somebody
speech therapy
- that which is spoken; utterance
- a talk or address delivered to an audience
- a person's characteristic manner of speaking
- a national or regional language or dialect
- linguistics another word for parole
Other Words From
- self-speech noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of speech 1
Synonym Study
Example sentences.
Kids are interacting with Alexas that can record their voice data and influence their speech and social development.
The attorney general delivered a controversial speech Wednesday.
For example, my company, Teknicks, is working with an online K-12 speech and occupational therapy provider.
Instead, it would give tech companies a powerful incentive to limit Brazilians’ freedom of speech at a time of political unrest.
However, the president did give a speech in Suresnes, France, the next day during a ceremony hosted by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Those are troubling numbers, for unfettered speech is not incidental to a flourishing society.
There is no such thing as speech so hateful or offensive it somehow “justifies” or “legitimizes” the use of violence.
We need to recover and grow the idea that the proper answer to bad speech is more and better speech.
Tend to your own garden, to quote the great sage of free speech, Voltaire, and invite people to follow your example.
The simple, awful truth is that free speech has never been particularly popular in America.
Alessandro turned a grateful look on Ramona as he translated this speech, so in unison with Indian modes of thought and feeling.
And so this is why the clever performer cannot reproduce the effect of a speech of Demosthenes or Daniel Webster.
He said no more in words, but his little blue eyes had an eloquence that left nothing to mere speech.
After pondering over Mr. Blackbird's speech for a few moments he raised his head.
Albinia, I have refrained from speech as long as possible; but this is really too much!
Related Words
More about speech, what is speech .
Speech is the ability to express thoughts and emotions through vocal sounds and gestures. The act of doing this is also known as speech .
Speech is something only humans are capable of doing and this ability has contributed greatly to humanity’s ability to develop civilization. Speech allows humans to communicate much more complex information than animals are able to.
Almost all animals make sounds or noises with the intent to communicate with each other, such as mating calls and yelps of danger. However, animals aren’t actually talking to each other. That is, they aren’t forming sentences or sharing complicated information. Instead, they are making simple noises that trigger another animal’s natural instincts.
While speech does involve making noises, there is a lot more going on than simple grunts and growls. First, humans’ vocal machinery, such as our lungs, throat, vocal chords, and tongue, allows for a wide range of intricate sounds. Second, the human brain is incredibly complex, allowing humans to process vocal sounds and understand combinations of them as words and oral communication. The human brain is essential for speech . While chimpanzees and other apes have vocal organs similar to humans’, their brains are much less advanced and they are unable to learn speech .
Why is speech important?
The first records of the word speech come from before the year 900. It ultimately comes from the Old English word sprecan , meaning “to speak.” Scientists debate on the exact date that humanity first learned to speak, with estimates ranging from 50,000 to 2 million years ago.
Related to the concept of speech is the idea of language . A language is the collection of symbols, sounds, gestures, and anything else that a group of people use to communicate with each other, such as English, Swahili, and American Sign Language . Speech is actually using those things to orally communicate with someone else.
Did you know … ?
But what about birds that “talk”? Parrots in particular are famous for their ability to say human words and sentences. Birds are incapable of speech . What they are actually doing is learning common sounds that humans make and mimicking them. They don’t actually understand what anything they are repeating actually means.
What are real-life examples of speech ?
Speech is essential to human communication.
Dutch is just enough like German that I can read text on signs and screens, but not enough that I can understand speech. — Clark Smith Cox III (@clarkcox) September 8, 2009
I can make squirrels so excited, I could almost swear they understand human speech! — Neil Oliver (@thecoastguy) July 20, 2020
What other words are related to speech ?
- communication
- information
Quiz yourself!
True or False?
Humans are the only animals capable of speech .
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.ogv/256px--Real-time_MRI_-_Speaking_(English).ogv.jpg)
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Synonyms for SPEECH: talk, lecture, address, oration, sermon, presentation, monologue, declamation, peroration, tribute
Find 84 different ways to say SPEECH, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.
SPEECH - Synonyms, related words and examples | Cambridge English Thesaurus
The meaning of SPEECH is the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words. How to use speech in a sentence. ... Synonyms of speech. 1. a: the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words. b: exchange of spoken words : conversation. 2. a: something that is spoken : utterance. b: a usually public discourse : address. 3. a
When you say something out loud, that's speech. When you give a speech, you say a lot of things in front of a group. ... Definitions of speech. noun ... synonyms: delivery, manner of speaking. see more see less. types: show 17 types... hide 17 types... address. the manner of speaking to another individual. catch.
Speech definition: the faculty or power of speaking; oral communication; ability to express one's thoughts and emotions by speech sounds and gesture. See examples of SPEECH used in a sentence.
Synonyms for SPEECH in English: communication, talk, conversation, articulation, discussion, dialogue, intercourse, verbal communication, verbal expression, diction, …
SPEECH meaning: 1. the ability to talk, the activity of talking, or a piece of spoken language: 2. the way a…. Learn more.
What's the definition of Speech in thesaurus? Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define Speech meaning and usage.
n. #. talk. , sermon. Another way to say Speech? Synonyms for Speech (other words and phrases for Speech).
Synonyms for SPEECH: discourse, talk, utterance, vocalization, conversation, articulation, oral expression, diction, pronunciation, expression, locution, enunciation; Antonyms for SPEECH: listening, silence, quiet. ... Related words are words that are directly connected to each other through their meaning, even if they are not synonyms or ...
Synonyms for speech include address, talk, harangue, oration, declamation, discourse, lecture, disquisition, homily and peroration. Find more similar words at ...
Synonyms speech speech lecture address talk sermon These are all words for a talk given to an audience. speech a formal talk given to an audience:. Several people made speeches at the wedding. lecture a talk given to a group of people to tell them about a particular subject, often as part of a university or college course:. a lecture on the Roman army
SYNONYMS 1. parlance, parley, conversation, communication. speech, language refer to the means of communication used by people. speech is the expression of ideas and thoughts by means of articulate vocal sounds, or the faculty of thus expressing ideas and thoughts. language is a set of conventional signs, not necessarily articulate or even vocal (any set of signs, signals, or symbols that ...
Speech is the general word for utterance of thought in language.A speech may be the delivering of one's sentiments in the simplest way; an oration is an elaborate and prepared speech; a harangue is a vehement appeal to passion, or a speech that has something disputatious and combative in it. A discourse is a set speech on a definite subject, intended to convey instruction.
5 [countable] a group of lines that an actor speaks in a play in the theater She has the longest speech in the play. see figure of speech; Thesaurus speech. lecture; address; talk; sermon; These are all words for a talk given to an audience. speech a formal talk given to an audience: Several people made speeches at the wedding.
Synonyms for SPEECHES: talks, lectures, sermons, orations, addresses, presentations, declamations, monologues, tributes, perorations
SPEECH definition: 1. the ability to talk, the activity of talking, or a piece of spoken language: 2. the way a…. Learn more.
What's the definition of Speak in thesaurus? Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define Speak meaning and usage.
Synonyms for SPEAKING: talking, communicative, articulate, well-spoken, voluble, talkative, vocal, eloquent; Antonyms of SPEAKING: silent, mute, dumb, speechless, mum, muted, wordless, uncommunicative ... Need even more definitions? Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free ...
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 ...
Explore the NEW Cambridge English Thesaurus: Get thousands of synonyms and antonyms with clear explanations of usage and example sentences, in both British and American English.
Thesaurus.com is the world's largest and most trusted online thesaurus for 25+ years. Join millions of people and grow your mastery of the English language.