speech-making

IPA/spˈiːtʃmˈeɪkɪŋ/
IPA/spˈiːtʃmˈeɪkɪŋ/

speech-making — noun

1. the activity of standing up in front of an audience to deliver a formal talk, es

1.nounB2
Definition

the activity of standing up in front of an audience to deliver a formal talk, especially on a ceremonial occasion or at a public event

Example

The wedding reception was full of long speech-making by the parents and the best man.

collocation: long speech-making

After the conference, everyone agreed the speech-making had gone on far too long.

Common collocations
  • long speech-making
  • endless speech-making
  • formal speech-making
  • speech-making at a wedding
  • speech-making at a conference
Synonyms
  • oratory

    more formal; refers to the art rather than the event

  • public speaking

    broader; includes informal talks, not just formal occasions

Usage Note

Frequently used with quantifying expressions such as 'a lot of', 'too much', or 'a great deal of' to comment on the amount or length of speeches at an event.

Common Mistakes

The speech-making was very interesting.
The speeches at the ceremony were very interesting.
'speech-making' refers to the activity, not the individual speeches themselves.

2. the regular practice or skill of writing and giving spoken addresses to groups o

2.nounB2
Definition

the regular practice or skill of writing and giving spoken addresses to groups of people, especially as a profession or as a learned ability

Example

Speech-making is a core part of the training programme for new politicians.

uncountable noun as subject

Aisha took a course in speech-making and learned how to hold the attention of a large audience.

collocation: a course in speech-making

Common collocations
  • the art of speech-making
  • speech-making skills
  • a course in speech-making
  • speech-making techniques
Synonyms
  • rhetoric

    more academic; focuses on persuasive language techniques

  • elocution

    narrower; emphasises delivery style and pronunciation

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1, this sense focuses on the craft and technique rather than a specific event. Common in phrases like 'the art of speech-making' and 'speech-making skills'.

Common Mistakes

I have speech-making tonight.
I have to give a speech tonight.
'speech-making' is the general skill, not a single event you attend.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Speech-making refers specifically to the craft of preparing and delivering a formal spoken address, often in a political or ceremonial context. Public speaking is a broader term that covers any situation where one person speaks to a group, from a classroom presentation to a TED talk. Oratory is more elevated and historical, suggesting grand, eloquent, and often highly persuasive public speaking of the kind associated with ancient Rome or great political figures. Rhetoric is the most academic of the four — it focuses on the techniques of persuasive language and argument construction, not just delivery. For example, a student might study rhetoric in a university course, practise public speaking in a club, admire the oratory of Martin Luther King Jr., and build their own speech-making skills for the campaign trail.

speech-making ↗public speakingoratory ↗rhetoric ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • the art of speech-making
  • a great deal of speech-making
  • the tradition of speech-making

Prepositions

  • at (an event)
  • in (a context)
  • of (the art)

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Speech-making is a compound word formed from 'speech' (from Old English 'spǣc', meaning 'talk, discourse') and 'making' (from Old English 'macian', meaning 'to construct, create'). The compound has been in use since the 16th century to describe both the act and the craft of delivering formal spoken addresses.