speechless

/ˈspiːtʃləs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspiːtʃləs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspēch-ləs/ (ame, mw)

speechless — 形容詞

  • speechlesspositive
  • more speechlesscomparative
  • most speechlesssuperlative

1. temporarily unable to say anything because a sudden, powerful emotion — especial

1.形容詞B2
釋義

說不出話

因震驚、憤怒等強烈情緒而一時無法言語

temporarily unable to say anything because a sudden, powerful emotion — especially surprise, anger, or admiration — has overwhelmed you.

例句

Liam was speechless when he saw the birthday cake his friends had secretly prepared.

Liam 看到朋友們偷偷準備的生日蛋糕時，驚訝得說不出話來。

collocation: be + speechless + when-clause

The judge's unexpected decision left the entire courtroom speechless.

法官出人意料的判決讓整個法庭鴉雀無聲。

pattern: leave + person + speechless

同義詞
  • dumbfounded

    more formal; emphasises complete bewilderment rather than general emotional overload

  • stunned

    broader in meaning; can describe any state of shock without specifically implying loss of speech

  • lost for words

    idiomatic; suggests a temporary, often polite speechlessness in social situations

  • flabbergasted

    informal and humorous; stronger in tone but less common in formal writing

反義詞
  • talkative

    describes someone who speaks readily and at length

  • articulate

    describes someone who expresses ideas clearly and fluently

文法句型

be + speechless

leave + person + speechless

stand + speechless

speechless + at/by/with + noun phrase

用法筆記

Typically appears after linking verbs (be, stand, remain) rather than directly before a noun, though attributive use (e.g. 'a speechless crowd') is possible. When specifying the cause, use at, by, or with: 'speechless at the news', 'speechless with anger'. The intensifiers absolutely, completely, and totally are preferred over very.

常見錯誤

❌I was very speechless when I heard the news.
✅I was completely speechless when I heard the news.
💡speechless is a non-gradable adjective; use absolutely, completely, or totally instead of very.
❌I was speechless about his decision.
✅I was speechless at his decision.
💡the preposition about is not idiomatic; use at, by, or with to indicate the cause.