# speaking

/ˈspikɪŋ/ (US) · /spˈiːkɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/speaking
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the act of talking

noun · CEFR A2

the act of saying words out loud to communicate.

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

- Public speaking makes many people feel nervous before they start.
- The conference focused on the art of public speaking, offering workshops on how to maintain audience engagement during technical presentations.

### 2. language skill

noun · CEFR A2

your ability to talk in a specific language.

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

- Her speaking is much better than her writing in English.
- The exam evaluates four core competencies, with the speaking component requiring candidates to engage in a spontaneous dialogue with the examiner.

### 4. expressive or eloquent

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

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

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

- She gave him a speaking look that told him to be quiet.
- The portrait was famous for the subject's speaking eyes, which seemed to follow the viewer across the gallery with a haunting intensity.

### 5. on the telephone

interjection · CEFR B1 · Formal

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

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

- Hello, is Mr. Smith there? Speaking.
- 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]?'

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.