speaker

/ˈspiː.kər/ (bre, ipa) · [spˈikɚ] /ˈspiː.kɚ/ (ame, ipa) · [spˈikɚ] /ˈspē-kər/ (ame, mw)

speaker — noun

  • speakersingular
  • speakersplural

1. a person who talks to a group of people at a formal event or meeting, often abou

1.名詞A2
釋義

a person who talks to a group of people at a formal event or meeting, often about a particular topic

例句

Paloma was nervous before her speech, but the speaker before her calmed everyone down.

countable noun for a person delivering a formal talk

The conference organisers are still looking for a speaker for the opening session.

speaker + for + event / time slot

同義詞
  • presenter

    more common for short talks at work meetings or conferences

  • lecturer

    specifically a person who teaches at a university

  • orator

    formal or literary term for a skilled public speaker

反義詞

文法句型

adjective + speaker

speaker + for + event

常見錯誤

❌I was the speaker of my school graduation.
✅I gave a speech at my school graduation.
💡'speaker' describes the role, not the action; use 'give a speech' for the activity itself.

2. a person who uses a particular language to communicate, especially as their main

2.名詞B1
釋義

a person who uses a particular language to communicate, especially as their main or first language

例句

Niran is a fluent speaker of three languages: English, Malay, and Mandarin.

fluent speaker of + language(s)

The dictionary is designed for learners, not for native speakers of English.

native speaker of + language — person who learned the language from birth

文法句型

speaker of + language

native speaker of + language

fluent speaker of + language

用法筆記

In everyday conversation, 'I speak Chinese' is more natural than 'I am a speaker of Chinese.' The noun form 'speaker' is most common with modifiers such as 'native,' 'fluent,' or 'non-native.'

常見錯誤

❌I am a speaker of Chinese.
✅I speak Chinese.
💡Using 'speaker of' in simple self-description sounds overly formal; use the verb 'speak' instead.

3. a piece of equipment that plays sound from a radio, television, computer, or mus

3.名詞A2
釋義

a piece of equipment that plays sound from a radio, television, computer, or music player

例句

Samir plugged the speakers into his laptop so everyone could hear the music.

plural form 'speakers' for a pair or set

The right speaker on the TV stopped working, so sound came from only one side.

positional modifier: right / left / front speaker

同義詞
  • loudspeaker

    more formal or technical term, often used for large public-address systems

  • sound system

    broader term that includes speakers plus amplifier and other components

反義詞
  • headphones

    ear-worn device for private listening instead of open sound

  • earphones

    small in-ear listening device

文法句型

adjective + speaker

speaker + noun

常見錯誤

❌I can't hear — the speaker is low.
✅I can't hear
💡the speaker volume is low.' — 'Low' alone is ambiguous; specify what is low (volume, battery, position).

4. a mode on a telephone that plays the caller's voice through a loudspeaker so tha

4.名詞B1
釋義

a mode on a telephone that plays the caller's voice through a loudspeaker so that you do not need to hold the phone to your ear

例句

Yuna put the call on speaker so her coworkers could hear the client's instructions.

put + call + on speaker — common expression

Hassan always uses speaker when driving, but he keeps the volume low.

uses speaker — no article before 'speaker'

同義詞
  • speakerphone

    the full compound noun describing the function or device

反義詞
  • handset

    the part of the phone you hold to your ear

文法句型

on speaker

put + object + on speaker

用法筆記

In this sense, 'speaker' is uncountable and used without an article: 'on speaker' (not 'on a speaker' or 'on the speaker'). This is similar to 'on hold' or 'on mute.'

常見錯誤

❌Put it on the speaker.
✅Put it on speaker.
💡When referring to speakerphone mode, no article is used before 'speaker.'

5. the elected official responsible for managing debates and enforcing rules in a p

5.名詞B2
釋義

the elected official responsible for managing debates and enforcing rules in a parliament or law-making body

例句

The Speaker called for order when the debate became too loud.

capitalised 'the Speaker' as a formal title

Maeve watched from the gallery as the Speaker of the parliament managed a lively session.

Speaker of + [parliament / legislative body]

同義詞
  • chairperson

    general term for the person leading any meeting; less specific to parliaments

  • presiding officer

    formal term for someone who oversees a formal meeting or assembly

文法句型

the Speaker

Speaker + of + parliament name

用法筆記

When used as a title, 'Speaker' is always capitalised. The role is politically neutral — the Speaker does not vote or take sides in debates.

常見錯誤

❌The speaker of the parliament voted on the new law.
✅The Speaker of the parliament did not vote on the new law.
💡In many systems, the Speaker remains neutral and does not vote except to break a tie.