1say something in order to convey information or to express a feeling:in his agitation he was unable to speakshe refused to speak about the incident
have a conversation:last time we spoke, you told me you couldn’t do the jobI’ll speak to him if he rings up
[with object] utter (a word, message, etc.):patients copy words spoken by the therapist
[with object] communicate in or be able to communicate in (a specified language):my mother spoke Russian
make a speech or contribute to a debate:twenty thousand people attended to hear him speak
(speak for) express the views or position of (another):he claimed to speak for the majority of local people
convey one’s views or position indirectly:speaking through his solicitor, he refused to join the debate
(speak to) answer (a question) or address (an issue or problem):we should be disappointed if the report did not speak to the issue of literacy
(speak of) mention or discuss in speech or writing:the books speak of betrayal
2 (speak to) talk to in order to reprove or advise:she tried to speak to Seb about his drinking
talk to in order to give or obtain information:he had spoken to the police
appeal or relate to:the story spoke to him directly
3(of behaviour, an object, etc.) serve as evidence for something:everything in the house spoke of hard times and neglect [with object]:his frame spoke tiredness
[with object and infinitive or adverbial] archaic show (someone or something) to be in a particular state or to possess a certain quality:she had seen nothing that spoke him of immoral habits
4(of a musical instrument or other object) make a sound when functioning:the gun spoke againinsufficient air circulates for the pipes to speak
(of a hound) bark.
not to speak of
used in introducing a further factor to be considered:the rent had to be paid, not to speak of school fees
something speaks for itself
the implications of something are so clear that no supporting evidence is needed:the figures speak for themselves
speak for oneself
give one’s own opinions:I’m not speaking for me and Jack, I’m speaking for myself
speak for yourself
[in imperative] used to tell someone that an opinion they have expressed is not shared by oneself:‘This is such a boring place.’ ‘Speak for yourself—I like it.’
speak in tongues
speak in an unknown language during religious worship, regarded as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).
speak one's mind
express one’s opinions frankly:he is a tough politician who speaks his mind in a blunt way
speak volumes
(of a gesture, circumstance, etc.) convey a great deal without using words:a look that spoke volumeshis record speaks volumes for his determination
speak well (or ill) of
praise (or criticize):the patients speak well of their doctors
—— to speak of
[with negative] used to indicate that there is so little of something that it is hardly worth mentioning:I’ve no capital—well, none to speak of
speak out (or up)
express one’s opinions frankly and publicly:the government will be forthright in speaking out against human rights abuses
speak up
speak more loudly:We can’t hear you. Speak up!
speak up for
speak in support of:there was no independent body to speak up for press freedoms
