Word
speechless
Phoneticsspeech·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈspitʃɫəs/
UK/spˈiːtʃləs/
Definitions
01unable to speak from emotion
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. unable to speak because you are very shocked, surprised, or angry.
adj. temporarily unable to speak, especially as a result of a strong emotional reaction such as shock, amazement, or indignation.
“The surprise party was so unexpected that it left her completely speechless.”
“The witness was momentarily speechless after the prosecutor presented the incriminating evidence that contradicted his earlier testimony.”
Usage
Often follows verbs like 'leave', 'remain', or 'be'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02too bad to be described
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Archaic
adj. so bad or shocking that it is impossible to describe with words.
adj. beyond the power of description; used to describe something so extreme or horrific that language fails.
“The survivors spoke of the speechless horrors they witnessed during the war.”
“The poet struggled to find metaphors for the speechless beauty of the mountain range at sunset.”
Usage
In modern English, 'unspeakable' is much more common for this meaning.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it had left him speechless: "Targeted strikes against museums - not even terrorists would think of this.” “It is partly because there are unanswered questions around their marriage but also because it has all been so enjoyably comical that this switch to tragedy leaves Bev speechless and at sea, for once.” Etymology
From Middle English specheles, from Old English sprǣċlēas (“speechless; without the power of speak”), from Proto-Germanic *sprēkalausaz, equivalent to speech + -less. Cognate with West Frisian sprakeleas (“speechless”), Dutch sprakeloos (“speechless”), German Low German spraaklos (“speechless”), German sprachlos (“speechless”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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