word-vault

{ "term": "speak", "partOfSpeech": "verb", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a1", "verbForms": { "presentSimple": { "iYouWeThey": "speak", "heSheIt": "speaks" }, "pastSimple": "spoke", "pastParticiple": "spoken", "ingForm": "speaking" }, "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "to talk to somebody about something; to have a conversation with somebody", "sensetop": "speak to somebodyspeak about somethingspeak to somebody about something/somebodyspeak with somebody (about something/somebody)", "labels": "(especially North American English)", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The President refused to speak to reporters.", "contextForm": "speak to somebody" }, { "text": "We never spoke about her illness.", "contextForm": "speak about something" }, { "text": "The confidential setting allowed us to **speak freely** about our concerns." }, { "text": "I've spoken to the manager about it.", "contextForm": "speak to somebody about something/somebody" }, { "text": "Can I speak with you for a minute?", "contextForm": "speak with somebody (about something/somebody)" }, { "text": "‘Do you know him?’ ‘Not to speak to.’ *(= I recognize him but do not really know him)*" }, { "text": "‘Can I speak to Susan?’ ‘Speaking.’ *(= at the beginning of a phone conversation)*" }, { "text": "I saw her in the street but we didn't speak." }, { "text": "I'm speaking from experience." }, { "text": "I didn't get a chance to speak to him." }, { "text": "No one had ever dared speak to him like that before." }, { "text": "Employees have to get permission to speak to the media." }, { "text": "We're not speaking to each other at the moment." }, { "text": "Police would like to speak to anyone who saw the incident." }, { "text": "Speaking to journalists before the premiere, the actor praised the film." }, { "text": "I've spoken to a number of people and they all agreed with me." }, { "text": "Speak to friends and family first, before making any major decisions." }, { "text": "It's better to speak directly to the patient." }, { "text": "I need to speak to Joseph about this matter." }, { "text": "I need to speak with your parents." }, { "text": "You should speak with someone who knows more about the subject." }, { "text": "I had the opportunity to speak with the president alone." }, { "text": "I spoke at length with him last week." }, { "text": "I need colleagues with whom I can speak frankly." }, { "text": "He spoke on condition of anonymity." }, { "text": "I could guess what he wanted to speak about, but I let him broach the subject." }, { "text": "We've spoken about this many times before." }, { "text": "We spoke briefly on the phone." }, { "text": "I know who she is, but we've never spoken." }, { "text": "The brothers have fallen out and barely speak." } ], "collocations": { "adverb": ["briefly", "at length", "hardly"], "verb + speak": ["want to", "refuse to", "dare (to)"], "preposition": ["about", "to", "with"], "phrases": [ "be on speaking terms (with somebody)", "a/the chance to speak", "a/the opportunity to speak" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "to use your voice to say something", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The illness left him unable to speak." }, { "text": "Please speak more slowly." }, { "text": "Without speaking, she stood up and went out." }, { "text": "He **speaks with a** Scottish **accent**." }, { "text": "She **speaks in a** husky **voice**." }, { "text": "She has a beautiful speaking voice." }, { "text": "She was so moved she could hardly speak." }, { "text": "Nancy spoke softly." }, { "text": "You must speak loudly and clearly on the stage." }, { "text": "He lost his ability to speak." }, { "text": "the sounds made by a baby as it's learning to speak" }, { "text": "He was so afraid of breaking down he couldn't trust himself to speak." }, { "text": "The main character speaks directly into the camera." }, { "text": "She opened her mouth to speak and found she couldn't." }, { "text": "He nodded, not trusting himself to speak." }, { "text": "I nodded, afraid to speak." }, { "text": "For a while nobody spoke." }, { "text": "Raise your hand if you want to speak." }, { "text": "They take it in turns to speak." }, { "text": "Look at me while I'm speaking." }, { "text": "He always tends to speak first in any situation." }, { "text": "Do you feel shy about speaking in meetings?" }, { "text": "The children are never given a chance to speak." }, { "text": "They were speaking in hushed tones." }, { "text": "The characters speak in Cockney accents." }, { "text": "The whistle blower spoke anonymously on the radio." }, { "text": "I'm speaking from experience, having been there often." }, { "text": "I'm speaking from a teacher's perspective." }, { "text": "She's speaking from a position of authority." } ], "collocations": { "adverb": ["loudly", "quietly", "softly"], "verb + speak": ["be able to", "be unable to", "can (hardly)"], "preposition": ["about", "on", "against"], "phrases": [ "the ability to speak", "have the courage to speak", "the right to speak" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "to be able to use a particular language", "sensetop": "speak something", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "to speak several languages" }, { "text": "to speak a little Urdu" }, { "text": "Do you speak English?" }, { "text": "learning to speak a foreign language" }, { "text": "Peter was learning to speak French." }, { "text": "How many languages do you speak?" }, { "text": "None of them speak English." }, { "text": "None of them can speak English." }, { "text": "The ability to speak another language is a valued skill." }, { "text": "She speaks an unusual dialect." }, { "text": "He speaks German fluently." }, { "text": "He speaks fluent German." }, { "text": "I'm sorry, I don't speak any Russian." }, { "text": "She speaks a few words of Japanese." }, { "text": "It's difficult if you don't speak the language." } ], "collocations": { "adverb": ["fluently", "well"], "verb + speak": ["be able to", "can", "be unable to"], "preposition": ["in"], "phrases": ["the ability to speak something"] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "to use a particular language to express yourself", "sensetop": "speak somethingspeak in something", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "What language is it they're speaking?", "contextForm": "speak something" }, { "text": "Would you prefer it if we spoke in German?", "contextForm": "speak in something" }, { "text": "What language are they speaking in?" }, { "text": "They were speaking in a language I didn't understand." }, { "text": "They were speaking a language I didn't understand." }, { "text": "What language do you speak at home?" }, { "text": "Only English is spoken in the classroom." }, { "text": "You can hear many different languages being spoken in these streets." }, { "text": "She speaks German to her kids and Italian to her husband." }, { "text": "We spoke half in Spanish and half in English." }, { "text": "I speak in my own language and she speaks in hers, and we get along fine." } ], "collocations": { "adverb": ["fluently", "well"], "verb + speak": ["be able to", "can", "be unable to"], "preposition": ["in"], "phrases": ["the ability to speak something"] } }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "speaking the language mentioned", "examples": [ { "text": "French-speaking Canada" }, { "text": "non-English-speaking students" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 6, "definition": "to mention or describe something/somebody", "sensetop": "speak of/about something/somebody", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "She still speaks about him with great affection." }, { "text": "He was **speaking publicly** for the first time about the incident." }, { "text": "Witnesses spoke of a great ball of flame." }, { "text": "Her students **speak** very **highly** of her *(= they say very good things about her)*." }, { "text": "Speaking of travelling, *(= referring back to a subject just mentioned)* are you going anywhere exciting this year?" }, { "text": "The brochure speaks of beautiful secluded grounds." }, { "text": "He spoke of the need for patience." }, { "text": "He speaks of the experience as one of the highlights of his career." }, { "text": "They're speaking of things they don't understand." }, { "text": "He speaks frankly about his own shortcomings." }, { "text": "She has never spoken openly about her early life." }, { "text": "You can speak freely about anything you like." }, { "text": "one of the rare instances in which the sculptor spoke directly about the issue of race in art" }, { "text": "They are willing to speak candidly about their pain and loss." }, { "text": "He spoke passionately about his novel." }, { "text": "He speaks very warmly of you." }, { "text": "They speak nostalgically of those days." }, { "text": "Speaking of Brett, why isn't he here?" }, { "text": "“Speaking of that,” I interrupted, “how much is this going to cost?”" }, { "text": "I had lunch with her the other day. Speaking of which, let's stop for something to eat." } ], "collocations": { "adverb": ["loudly", "quietly", "softly"], "verb + speak": ["be able to", "be unable to", "can (hardly)"], "preposition": ["about", "on", "against"], "phrases": [ "the ability to speak", "have the courage to speak", "the right to speak" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 7, "definition": "to make a speech to an audience", "sensetop": "+ adv./prep.speak (to somebody) (about something)", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "Hundreds of people came to hear her speak." }, { "text": "I hate **speaking in public**.", "contextForm": "+ adv./prep." }, { "text": "He was **invited to speak** at a conference." }, { "text": "to speak on the radio" }, { "text": "Professor Todd spoke to the group about her research.", "contextForm": "speak (to somebody) (about something)" }, { "text": "She **spoke in favour of** the new tax." }, { "text": "He has a number of **speaking engagements** this week." }, { "text": "I heard him speak at the debating society." }, { "text": "She speaks on health issues." }, { "text": "He said he was not authorized to speak on the matter." }, { "text": "She was invited to speak at a Harvard conference." }, { "text": "She is scheduled to speak today to the Economic Roundtable of Jacksonville." }, { "text": "He was speaking at a Democratic Party rally." }, { "text": "I visualized myself speaking in front of a large crowd." }, { "text": "He spoke in support of the bill on the senate floor." }, { "text": "In the past he has spoken against gay marriage." }, { "text": "I speak on behalf of many thousands of women." }, { "text": "She spoke eloquently about the need for action." }, { "text": "He will be speaking to history students about the causes of war." }, { "text": "He spoke at length about socialism." }, { "text": "First I'll speak briefly about the background to the project." }, { "text": "She spoke clearly and engagingly about her work." } ], "collocations": { "adverb": ["loudly", "quietly", "softly"], "verb + speak": ["be able to", "be unable to", "can (hardly)"], "preposition": ["about", "on", "against"], "phrases": [ "the ability to speak", "have the courage to speak", "the right to speak" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 8, "definition": "to say or state something", "sensetop": "speak something", "examples": [ { "text": "She was clearly **speaking the truth**." }, { "text": "He spoke the final words of the play." }, { "text": "They had the courage to speak the truth." } ], "collocations": { "adverb": ["loudly", "quietly", "softly"], "verb + speak": ["be able to", "be unable to", "can (hardly)"], "preposition": ["about", "on", "against"], "phrases": [ "the ability to speak", "have the courage to speak", "the right to speak" ] } }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "what a person actually does means more than what they say they will do", "labels": "(saying)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be willing to be polite or friendly towards somebody, especially after an argument", "examples": [ { "text": "She's not been on speaking terms with her uncle for years." }, { "text": "Are they speaking to each other again yet?" }, { "text": "We are still on speaking terms after the argument." }, { "text": "Ed and Dave aren't speaking at the moment." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "it is not necessary to give any further explanation about something because the information that is available already proves that it is true", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to show that what you are saying is true in a general, etc. way", "examples": [ { "text": "Generally speaking, the more you pay, the more you get." }, { "text": "There are, broadly speaking, two ways of doing this." }, { "text": "Personally speaking, I've always preferred Italian food." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "if you think about it in a particular way; true in some but not all ways", "examples": [ { "text": "All these points of view are related, in a manner of speaking." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "such a small amount that it is not worth mentioning", "examples": [ { "text": "They've got no friends to speak of." }, { "text": "She's saved a little money but nothing to speak of." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to emphasize that you are expressing something in an unusual or humorous way", "examples": [ { "text": "They were all very similar. All cut from the same cloth, so to speak." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be so easy to see and understand that you do not need to say anything else about it/them", "examples": [ { "text": "Her success speaks for itself." }, { "text": "Recent events speak for themselves." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to express what you think or want yourself, rather than somebody else doing it for you", "examples": [ { "text": "I'm quite capable of speaking for myself, thank you!" } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to tell somebody that a general statement they have just made is not true of you", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "‘We didn't play very well.’ ‘Speak for yourself!’ *(= I think that I played well.)*" } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to say or think bad things about somebody", "labels": "(formal)", "examples": [ { "text": "Don't speak ill of the dead." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to say that you are the type of person mentioned and are expressing your opinion from that point of view", "examples": [ { "text": "Speaking as a parent, I'm very concerned about standards in education." } ], "topics": ["Opinion and argument"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to say exactly what you think, in a very direct way", "examples": [ { "text": "She’s never hesitated about speaking her mind." }, { "text": "Everyone should have the right to speak their mind." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "people say speak/talk of the devil when somebody they have been talking about appears unexpectedly", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "Well, speak of the devil—here's Alice now!" } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to say something when you should not, for example because it is not the right time or you are not the right person to say it", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to say something that you should not because it is the wrong situation or because it offends somebody", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be able to communicate easily with another person because you share similar opinions and experience", "examples": [], "topics": ["Opinion and argument"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to tell you a lot about something/somebody, without the need for words", "examples": [ { "text": "His achievement speaks volumes for his determination." }, { "text": "What you wear speaks volumes about you." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to say good or bad things about somebody", "labels": "(formal)", "examples": [ { "text": "She never speaks ill of anyone." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "if you are using words or rules in their exact or correct sense", "examples": [ { "text": "Strictly speaking, the book is not a novel, but a short story." }, { "text": "Using the word in that context is not, strictly speaking, correct." } ] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/spiːk/", "audio": "sp/speak/speak__gb_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/spiːks/", "audio": "sp/speak/speaks__gb_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/spəʊk/", "audio": "sp/speak/spoke__gb_2.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ˈspəʊkən/", "audio": "sp/speak/spoken__gb_2.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ˈspiːkɪŋ/", "audio": "sp/speak/speaking__gb_1.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/spiːk/", "audio": "sp/speak/speak__us_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/spiːks/", "audio": "sp/speak/speaks__us_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/spəʊk/", "audio": "sp/speak/spoke__us_2.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ˈspəʊkən/", "audio": "sp/speak/spoken__us_2.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ˈspiːkɪŋ/", "audio": "sp/speak/speaking__us_2.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "Old English sprecan, later specan, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch spreken and German sprechen." }