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speech

n.
US //ˈspitʃ// UK //spˈiːtʃ// speech
  1. 1 ability to talk (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the power or ability to speak and use words to communicate.

    the human faculty of uttering articulate sounds and vocalizations for communication. Uncountable in this sense.

    Example

    The doctor checked the patient's speech after the accident to see if he could talk clearly.

    Example

    The development of speech in early childhood is a complex process involving both neurological maturation and social interaction.
  2. 2 formal talk (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a formal talk that a person gives to a group of people.

    a formal public address or oral message delivered to an audience. Countable in this sense.

    Example

    The principal gave a short speech to welcome the new students.

    Example

    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.

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  1. 3 spoken language (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    language that is spoken rather than written.

    the oral medium of language as opposed to the written medium. Uncountable in this sense.

    Example

    In everyday speech, people often use shorter words and slang.

    Example

    Linguists often distinguish between the formal structures of written prose and the more fluid, repetitive nature of spontaneous speech.
  2. 4 style of talking (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the particular way that someone speaks.

    an individual's characteristic manner or style of oral expression.

    Example

    His slow, careful speech made it easy for the students to understand him.

    Example

    The actor spent months working with a coach to perfect the distinctive speech patterns of the historical figure he was portraying.
  3. 5 grammar/quoted words (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Academic Science

    words that someone has said, often used when talking about grammar.

    reported or quoted utterances, often categorised as direct or indirect in grammatical analysis.

    Example

    In the story, the character's direct speech is written inside quotation marks.

    Example

    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'.
Origin

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.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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