Word family noun speaker speech adjective unspeakable speechless outspoken spoken ≠ unspoken verb speak adverb unspeakably
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishspeechspeech /spiːtʃ/ ●●● S2 W2 noun 1 [countable]TALK/MAKE A SPEECH a talk, especially a formal one about a particular subject, given to a group of peoplemake/give/deliver a speech Each child had to give a short speech to the rest of the class. He has to make a lot of after-dinner speeches.speech on/about a major speech on relations with China Collins gave the keynote speech (=most important speech).2 [uncountable]SPEAK A LANGUAGE the ability to speak Only humans are capable of speech.3 [uncountable]SLSPEAK A LANGUAGE spoken language rather than written language In speech we use a smaller vocabulary than in writing.4 [uncountable]SLSPEAK A LANGUAGE the particular way in which someone speaks Bob’s speech was slurred, and he sounded drunk.5 [countable]APT a set of lines that an actor must say in a play Hamlet’s longest speech → direct speech, figure of speech, indirect speech, part of speech, reported speech, → speech bubble at bubble1(4), → freedom of speech at freedom(1)COLLOCATIONSverbsgive/make a speechShe gave a speech at the party conference.deliver a speech formalThe president delivered a major speech to Congress yesterday.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + speechlongThe speeches were all really long.short/briefThe chairman opened the meeting with a brief speech.a passionate/impassioned speech (=full of strong feeling)She made impassioned speeches on civil rights.an emotional speech (=showing emotions, especially by crying)On retiring, she delivered an emotional farewell speech.a moving speech (=making people feel strong emotions)That was a very moving speech.a powerful speech (=having a strong effect on people’s opinions)He gave a powerful speech calling for unity.a rousing/stirring speech (=making people feel excited and eager to do something)Thousands of people were inspired by his stirring speeches.a major speech (=very important)This was her first major speech as party leader.somebody’s inaugural speech (=their first one in an important political job)He said all the right things in his inaugural speech.somebody’s acceptance speech (=when they accept a political job, a prize, or an award)In his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to his wife.a farewell speech (=by someone who is leaving)an after-dinner speech (=after a formal dinner)He gets paid a lot for making after-dinner speeches.a keynote speech (=the most important one at an event)The prime minister will make his keynote speech at the conference today.a political speechShe began writing political speeches for local politicians.a campaign speech (=given during a political campaign)Eisenhower was careful in his campaign speeches to use only the vaguest of phrases.COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘do a speech’. Say give a speech or make a speech. THESAURUSspeech a talk, especially a formal one about a particular subject, given to a group of peopleThe bridegroom usually makes a speech after the wedding.In her speech, she proposed major changes to the welfare system.the opening speech of the conferenceaddress formal a speech that a very important person gives to a large group of peoplethe president’s address to the nationHe was surrounded by security officers as he made his address.talk an occasion when someone speaks to a group of people giving them information about a particular subject or about their experiencesI went to an interesting talk on the wildlife of Antarctica.He’s been asked to give a talk about his trip to India.lecture a talk, especially on an academic subject and given to students in a universitya lecture on 17th-century French literatureProfessor Black is giving the lecture.presentation a talk in which you describe or explain a new product or idea, especially one you give for your companyI had to give a presentation to the board of directors.He's making a presentation to the management of a well-known manufacturing company.sermon a talk given by a priest or a religious leaderThe vicar preached a sermon about the need for forgiveness.statement a spoken or written announcement that someone makes in public, often to journalistsThe minister issued a short statement in which he said he had no plans to resign. Examples from the Corpus
speech• For him, it was a speech.• Because of its application to both speech and writing it has helped to obscure the difference between the two.• The left side of the brain controls speech.• In her speech, Bauer proposed major changes in the welfare system.• She left early to write her speech for the next day.• Her speech was slow and distinct.• His speech was slurred and he was having trouble standing straight.• And there had to be freedom of speech and publication, for without these the freedom of association is of no use.• His deafness was a severe handicap in an assembly where quickness of hearing and readiness of speech were essential.• The most significant aspect of my hon. Friend's speech was the reference to his predecessor, George Buckley.• The senator's speech on farm subsidies did not attract a large audience.• To start with, the governor made a short speech welcoming the visiting dignitaries.• Natalie was born with a slight speech impediment.• What you hear will incorporate high-fidelity sound, speech synthesis, and speech recognition.• Ingram reported that for children with phonological disorders, imitation tasks lead to fewer errors compared to spontaneous speech.• Only when the speech had turned Jeffries into a disastrous image problem had the university acted.• a wedding speechspeech on/about• In a speech on Dec. 1 Moi warned of interference by Western countries, which he accused of bias.• Meredith made a speech about the civic pride the city took in its repertory company, and the importance of the drama.• He became irregular in his sobriety and would launch into disconnected, hortatory speeches about such matters as space exploration.• In the midst of his Abdication preoccupations Baldwin made one major speech on another subject.• Then he launched into a twenty-minute speech on... import quotas.• Yet there was not even a hint of valediction in last week's speech on Capitol Hill.Origin speech Old English spræc, spæc 