speaking

English Online Dictionary. What means speaking‎? What does speaking mean?

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/
• (US, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈspi.kɪŋ/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/, [ˈspɪi̯.kɪŋ]
• Rhymes: -iːkɪŋ

Etymology 1

From Middle English spekinge, spekynge, spekinde, spekende, spekande, spekand, from Old English specende, sprecende (“speaking”), from Proto-Germanic *sprekandz (“speaking”), present participle of Proto-Germanic *sprekaną (“to speak”). Equivalent to speak +‎ -ing. Cognate with Scots speikand, speikin (“speaking”), Saterland Frisian spreekend (“speaking”), West Frisian sprekkend (“speaking”), Dutch sprekend (“speaking”), German Low German sprekend (“speaking”), German sprechend (“speaking”).

Adjective

speaking (not comparable)

1. Used in speaking.

2. Expressive; eloquent.
3. Involving speaking.

4. Having the ability of speech.
   1. (in compounds) Having competence in a language.

Antonyms

• (antonym(s) of “expressive”): unspeaking
• (antonym(s) of “involving speaking”): nonspeaking

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English speking, spekynge, equivalent to speak +‎ -ing.

Noun

speaking (plural speakings)

1. One's ability to communicate vocally in a given language.

2. The act of communicating vocally.
3. An oral recitation of e.g. a story.

Translations

Etymology 3

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb

speaking

1. present participle and gerund of speak

Interjection

speaking

1. (telephony) Indication that the person requested is the same as the one who is currently speaking.

Translations

References

Anagrams

• peakings