ENGLISH
REFERENCE

speaking

n. · adj. · interj.
US //ˈspikɪŋ// UK //spˈiːkɪŋ// speak·ing
  1. 1 the act of talking (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the act of saying words out loud to communicate.

    the action of conveying information or expressing thoughts through articulate vocal sounds.

    Example

    Public speaking makes many people feel nervous before they start.

    Example

    The conference focused on the art of public speaking, offering workshops on how to maintain audience engagement during technical presentations.
  2. 2 language skill (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    your ability to talk in a specific language.

    the productive language skill of oral communication, often assessed alongside listening, reading, and writing.

    Example

    Her speaking is much better than her writing in English.

    Example

    The exam evaluates four core competencies, with the speaking component requiring candidates to engage in a spontaneous dialogue with the examiner.
  3. 3 expressive or eloquent (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    showing a lot of feeling or meaning without needing many words.

    highly expressive or eloquent; conveying significant meaning through appearance or tone.

    Example

    She gave him a speaking look that told him to be quiet.

    Example

    The portrait was famous for the subject's speaking eyes, which seemed to follow the viewer across the gallery with a haunting intensity.
    • expressionless
  4. 4 on the telephone (interj.)
    B1 Intermediate Formal

    what you say on the phone to show you are the person being asked for.

    a formulaic response used in telephonic or remote communication to confirm that the speaker is the individual requested.

    Example

    Hello, is Mr. Smith there? Speaking.

    Example

    When the receptionist asked to speak with the head of department, she simply replied, 'Speaking,' and waited for the caller to proceed.

    Usage

    Used as a standalone response when someone asks 'Is [Your Name] there?' or 'May I speak to [Your Name]?'
    • it's me
    • this is he
    • this is she
Etymology 1

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”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English speking, spekynge, equivalent to speak + -ing.

Etymology 3

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms1 entry

Last updated June 19, 2026