# speech

/ˈspitʃ/ (US) · /spˈiːtʃ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. ability to talk

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. formal talk

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- 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.

### 3. spoken language

noun · CEFR B1

language that is spoken rather than written.

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

- 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.

### 4. style of talking

noun · CEFR B2

the particular way that someone speaks.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. grammar/quoted words

noun · CEFR B1 · Academic

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

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- The president gave a long speech about the new law.
- She spent all weekend writing her wedding speech to make sure it was perfect for the guests.
- The candidate's victory speech focused on national unity and economic recovery, aiming to bridge the divide between opposing political factions.

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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.