<p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; talk: He was too ill to speak</li><li>to communicate vocally; mention: to speak to a person about various matters</li><li>to converse: She spoke with him for an hour</li><li>to deliver an address, discourse, etc.: to speak at a meeting</li><li>to make a statement in written or printed words</li><li>to communicate, signify, or disclose something by any means; convey significance: The voters have spoken loud and clear</li><li>Phonetics: to produce sounds or audible sequences of individual or concatenated sounds of a language, especially through phonation, amplification, and resonance, and through any of a variety of articulatory processes</li><li>(of a computer): to express data or other information audibly by means of an audio response unit</li><li>to emit a sound, as a musical instrument; make a noise or report</li><li>Chiefly British: (of dogs) to bark when ordered</li><li>Fox Hunting: (of a hound or pack) to bay on finding a scent</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to utter vocally and articulately: to speak words of praise</li><li>Synonyms: articulate, pronounce</li><li>to express or make known with the voice: to speak the truth</li><li>Synonyms: say</li><li>to declare in writing or printing, or by any means of communication</li><li>to make known, indicate, or reveal</li><li>Synonyms: disclose</li><li>to use, or be able to use, in oral utterance, as a language: to speak French</li><li>(of a computer): to express or make known (data, prompts, etc.) by means of an audio response unit</li><li>Nautical: to communicate with (a passing vessel) at sea, as by voice or signal: We spoke a whaler on the fourth day at sea</li><li>Archaic: to speak to or with</li></ul><p><strong>Verb Phrase</strong></p><ul><li>to express one's opinion openly and unreservedly: He was not afraid to speak out when it was something he believed in strongly</li><li>to intercede for or recommend; speak in behalf of</li><li>to express or articulate the views of; represent</li><li>to choose or prefer; have reserved for oneself: This item is already spoken for</li><li>to address or respond to, as in speech or action: The legislature must speak to the issue of gun violence</li><li>to be appealing or relevant to: His music speaks to me on a very deep level</li><li>to provide evidence for: Our company’s rapid growth speaks to the passion and commitment of our employees</li></ul>