Definitions
01ability to talk
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun
n. the power or ability to speak and use words to communicate.
n. the human faculty of uttering articulate sounds and vocalizations for communication. Uncountable in this sense.
“The doctor checked the patient's speech after the accident to see if he could talk clearly.”
“The development of speech in early childhood is a complex process involving both neurological maturation and social interaction.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02formal talk
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a formal talk that a person gives to a group of people.
n. a formal public address or oral message delivered to an audience. Countable in this sense.
日本語:スピーチ※
“The principal gave a short speech to welcome the new students.”
“The prime minister delivered a televised speech to the nation, outlining the government's new economic strategy for the coming year.”
Pitfall
He made a speech about the environment.
He gave a speech on the environment.
While 'make a speech' is correct, we usually use 'give' or 'deliver' a speech, and 'on' or 'about' for the topic.
Synonyms
03spoken language
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. language that is spoken rather than written.
n. the oral medium of language as opposed to the written medium. Uncountable in this sense.
日本語:言葉※
“In everyday speech, people often use shorter words and slang.”
“Linguists often distinguish between the formal structures of written prose and the more fluid, repetitive nature of spontaneous speech.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04style of talking
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the particular way that someone speaks.
n. an individual's characteristic manner or style of oral expression.
“His slow, careful speech made it easy for the students to understand him.”
“The actor spent months working with a coach to perfect the distinctive speech patterns of the historical figure he was portraying.”
Synonyms
05grammar/quoted words
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Science Academic
n. words that someone has said, often used when talking about grammar.
n. reported or quoted utterances, often categorised as direct or indirect in grammatical analysis.
“In the story, the character's direct speech is written inside quotation marks.”
“The student struggled with the tense shifts required when converting direct speech into reported speech in her essay.”
Usage
Often used in the phrases 'direct speech' or 'reported speech'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “speech” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English speche, from Old English spǣċ, sprǣċ (“speech, discourse, language”), from Proto-West Germanic sprāku (“speech, language”), from Proto-Indo-European spereg-, *spreg- (“to make a sound”). Cognate with Dutch spraak (“speech”), German Sprache (“language, speech”). More at speak.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/speech
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0