ENGLISH
REFERENCE

speechless

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈspitʃɫəs// UK //spˈiːtʃləs// speech·less Archaic

adj. unable to speak for a short time because you are very shocked, angry, or surprised.

adj. temporarily unable to speak, typically due to an intense emotional reaction such as shock, indignation, or amazement. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'remain', or 'leave'.


SIMPLE

The surprise party left her completely speechless.

CONTEXTUAL

When the judge announced the winner, the young artist stood speechless on the stage for several seconds.

COMPLEX

The sheer audacity of the proposal left the board members speechless, as they had expected a much more conservative strategy for the upcoming fiscal year.

Synonyms
Origin

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”).

Usage

Typically follows a linking verb or functions as an object complement after 'leave'.

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