speaking
n. uncountablen. the act of using your voice to say words. It is one of the four main skills you practice when learning a new language.
n. the action of conveying information or expressing thoughts and feelings through spoken language. Often categorized as a productive skill in linguistic frameworks.
Her speaking skills improved after she moved to London.
The language exam includes a fifteen-minute speaking section where students must describe a photograph and answer questions.
Public speaking requires not only a mastery of the subject matter but also an acute awareness of non-verbal cues and audience engagement strategies.
From Middle English spekinge, spekynge, spekinde, spekende, spekande, spekand, from Old English specende, sprecende (“speaking”), from Proto-Germanic sprekandz (“speaking”), present participle of Proto-Germanic sprekaną (“to speak”). Equivalent to speak + -ing. Cognate with Scots speikand, speikin (“speaking”), Saterland Frisian spreekend (“speaking”), West Frisian sprekkend (“speaking”), Dutch sprekend (“speaking”), German Low German sprekend (“speaking”), German sprechend (“speaking”).
From Middle English speking, spekynge, equivalent to speak + -ing.
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Frequently used as a gerund or as a modifier in compound nouns like 'speaking skills' or 'speaking test'.