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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Speech Definition, Types & Common Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：formal address (speech)

speech 🔊

/spiːtʃ/

A formal talk given to a group of people on a particular subject.

formal address 🔊

➕

/ˈfɔːrməl əˈdrɛs/

A structured oral presentation delivered to an audience on a specific topic, often in a formal setting.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'spǣċ', meaning 'discourse, talk', related to 'speak'.

💡 Mnemonic

Say 'speech' like 'speak each' – you speak each word to an audience.

📖 Example

The principal gave a welcoming speech to the new students at the opening ceremony. 🔊 The principal delivered a welcoming speech to the new students at the opening ceremony.

🔗 Collocations

give a speech – to deliver an oral address to an audience

make a speech – to present a formal talk on a subject

deliver a speech – to recite or present a prepared talk

🔄 Synonyms

address (n.) – A formal speech delivered to an audience, often in a ceremonial context.

lecture (n.) – An educational talk given to an audience, typically in an academic setting.

oration (n.) – A formal, eloquent public speech, often on an important occasion.

🚫 Antonyms

silence (n.) – The absence of speech or sound.

🌱 Derivatives

speechless (adj.) – Unable to speak due to surprise, emotion, or shock.

speechify (v.) – To make a speech, often in a pompous or lengthy manner.

speechmaker (n.) – A person who makes speeches, especially a politician.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old English 'spǣċ', related to 'speak'. In ancient Greece, public speech (rhetorike) was a foundational skill for citizens, shaping politics and philosophy.

Meaning 2：ability to speak (speech)

speech 🔊

/spiːtʃ/

The ability to speak or the act of speaking.

Speech ability baby learning to vocalize

ability to speak 🔊

➕

/əˈbɪləti tuː spiːk/

The physical and cognitive capacity to produce spoken language, encompassing articulation, phonation, and fluency.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

A baby's babbling is the first step in the development of speech. 🔊 A baby's babbling is the first step in the development of speech.

🔗 Collocations

speech therapy – treatment to help people overcome speech disorders

speech disorder – a condition affecting the ability to produce normal speech

speech impediment – a physical or neurological problem that hinders clear speech

🔄 Synonyms

utterance (n.) – A spoken word, phrase, or sound, especially considered as a unit of speech.

vocalization (n.) – The act of making sounds with the voice, especially in speech or song.

articulation (n.) – The physical production of speech sounds, especially clear and distinct ones.

🚫 Antonyms

muteness (n.) – The state of being unable to speak.

silence (n.) – The condition of not speaking or making sound.

🌱 Derivatives

speechless (adj.) – Unable to speak, especially due to strong emotion.

speechify (v.) – To speak in a grand or pompous manner.

speechcraft (n.) – The skill or art of speaking effectively.