speaking
/ˈspiː.kɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /-spiː.kɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /-spiː.kɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspē-kiŋ/ (ame, mw)
speaking — noun
1. the activity of delivering a formal talk to a live audience at events such as co
the activity of delivering a formal talk to a live audience at events such as conferences, ceremonies, or meetings
Romi took a course in public speaking to overcome her fear of presentations at work.
collocation: public speaking course
The conference featured a workshop on speaking skills for new managers who lead team meetings.
Many find speaking before a large audience more stressful than a private chat.
Lan's natural speaking style made her the favourite speaker at the graduation ceremony.
After months of practice, Eitan gave a short talk at the charity dinner.
- oratory
formal; refers specifically to the art of skilled public speaking
- speech-making
more concrete; describes the act of delivering speeches
- elocution
formal; focuses on style, pronunciation, and clear expression
- listening
the complementary skill of receiving spoken messages
用法筆記
Uncountable noun in this sense. Often combined with adjectives such as 'public', 'after-dinner', or 'formal' to specify the type of event.
常見錯誤
speaking — suffix
1. used after the name of a language to describe a person, group, or community that
used after the name of a language to describe a person, group, or community that regularly communicates using that language
The clinic needs an English-speaking receptionist to help foreign patients.
suffix: [language]-speaking for ability/use
Sirin works as a guide for French-speaking tourists visiting the old city.
The school serves a growing population of Spanish-speaking students from Latin America.
Emre joined a German-speaking book club to practise reading and conversation outside class.
- non-speaking
used contrastively, e.g. 'non-English-speaking residents'
文法句型
[language]-speaking + noun
用法筆記
Always attached after a language name with a hyphen. Can describe either individuals (English-speaking staff) or populations (Spanish-speaking neighbourhood). Do not remove the language name — 'speaking' alone does not function as a suffix.
常見錯誤
speaking — adjective
- speakingpositive
- more speakingcomparative
- most speakingsuperlative
1. having the physical ability to produce words as a form of communication, often u
having the physical ability to produce words as a form of communication, often used in contrast with being unable to speak or with devices designed to produce speech
The hospital uses a speaking device for patients unable to form words on their own.
before noun: speaking device
Chiara's grandfather remained speaking until his final week, able to hold short talks.
not gradable — used predicatively to describe ongoing ability
This talking doll is the first speaking toy made by the company for children.
Researchers are developing a speaking robot that gives safety instructions to elderly people living alone.
- vocal
neutral; describes having a voice or using the voice
- mute
describes a person unable to speak
- non-speaking
describes a role, person, or device lacking speech capacity
文法句型
speaking + noun (device / person / toy)
用法筆記
Not gradable — something is either capable of speech or not. When used predicatively (e.g. 'remained speaking'), this sense emphasises that the ability is still present. More commonly appears before a noun (speaking device, speaking doll, speaking clock).
常見錯誤
2. describing a place, region, or group of people where a particular language is us
describing a place, region, or group of people where a particular language is used as the main form of daily communication
Abigail grew up in a Spanish-speaking neighbourhood of Miami where shop signs were in Spanish.
collocation: Spanish-speaking neighbourhood
The survey examined healthcare access in rural French-speaking regions of West Africa.
Ignacio moved to a German-speaking canton in Switzerland to work at a local engineering firm.
The conference brought together educators from all Portuguese-speaking countries to share teaching methods.
- non-speaking
used contrastively for regions not using a specified language
文法句型
[language]-speaking + population / country / region / community
用法筆記
Describes a population group or territory, not an individual person. To describe an individual who uses a particular language, use the suffix sense instead (e.g. 'a French-speaking guide'). This sense focuses on the demographic or geographic characteristic.
常見錯誤
3. connected with the act of addressing an audience or taking part in spoken commun
connected with the act of addressing an audience or taking part in spoken communication
The CEO accepted a speaking engagement at the annual industry summit in Tokyo.
fixed collocation: speaking engagement
Lan prepared a short speaking segment for the school assembly on plastic waste.
The senator's speaking tour across the Midwest attracted large crowds at every stop.
Christopher's role as team leader includes speaking duties like giving weekly updates and leading meetings.
- written
describes communication done through writing rather than speech
文法句型
speaking + engagement / tour / part / role / duties
用法筆記
This sense appears mainly in fixed combinations: 'speaking engagement', 'speaking tour', 'speaking part/role', 'speaking duties'. It cannot be used freely with any event noun — you would not say 'a speaking meeting' or 'a speaking class'.
常見錯誤
4. so full of meaning or emotion that it seems to communicate clearly without the n
so full of meaning or emotion that it seems to communicate clearly without the need for words — for example, a look of gratitude on someone's face, or a silence that expresses more than speech could
The portrait captured a speaking expression on the old woman's face, full of quiet sadness.
register: literary — speaking expression / look
Élise's silence was more speaking than any words she could have chosen to defend herself.
The photograph offered a speaking reminder of the destruction left by the earthquake.
The wooden chair had speaking scratches that told of decades of use by five generations.
- eloquent
formal and more common; can describe both speech and non-verbal expression
- expressive
more common across registers; wider application
- meaningful
less formal; broader, includes non-emotional significance
- expressionless
showing no emotion or meaning at all
- blank
empty of expression or significance
文法句型
speaking + look / expression / silence / reminder / likeness
用法筆記
Literary or formal register. Describes expressions, looks, silences, or inanimate objects whose appearance communicates meaning powerfully. Not used for spoken language — it describes communication without speech.