speechlessness

/ˈspiːtʃləsnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspiːtʃləsnəs/ (ame, ipa)

speechlessness — noun

1. a short period when surprise, anger, or another strong emotion takes away your a

1.名詞C2
釋義

a short period when surprise, anger, or another strong emotion takes away your ability to speak

例句

Lakshmi's speechlessness lasted several seconds after she opened the job offer email.

pattern: someone's speechlessness after + event

The whole hall fell into speechlessness when the winner collapsed onstage.

pattern: fall into speechlessness

同義詞
  • silence

    More general and often chosen, while 'speechlessness' specifically comes from emotion stopping speech.

  • shock

    Names the emotional reaction itself, not necessarily the resulting inability to answer.

  • astonishment

    Focuses on surprise, while 'speechlessness' highlights being unable to say anything.

文法句型

someone's speechlessness

speechlessness after/at + event

reduce someone to speechlessness

fall into speechlessness

用法筆記

Often used for a visible reaction to sudden news, praise, or hurtful words, and it usually suggests a brief silence rather than a long inability to speak. Distinguish it from 'silence': silence can be calm or deliberate, while speechlessness implies that emotion has stopped the person from answering.

常見錯誤

❌The library was full of speechlessness during the exam.
✅The library was full of silence during the exam.
💡'speechlessness' is an emotional inability to speak, not ordinary quiet.
❌I was speechlessness after the announcement.
✅I was speechless after the announcement.
💡after 'be', use the adjective 'speechless'; the noun names the state itself.