speak about someone Definition

speak
verb spoke, spake, spoken, speaking

old use:
tr & intr
1a. To utter words in an ordinary voice, as opposed to shouting, singing, screaming, etc;

Thesaurus: express, utter, voice, vocalize, pronounce, say, enunciate, articulate.
tr & intr
1b. To talk.

Example: speaks a load of rubbish
intr
2. To have a conversation.

Example: We speak on the phone every night
Thesaurus: talk, converse, chat.
intr
3. To deliver a speech.

Example: spoke on the subject of rising urban crime
Thesaurus: lecture, preach, expound, sermonize, orate.
4. To communicate, or be able to communicate, in (a particular language).

Example: He speaks French fluently
intr
5. To convey meaning.

Example: Actions speak louder than words

combining form

1. Talk or jargon of the specified kind.

Example: consultantspeak
Example: luvviespeak
Example: doublespeak

Derivative: speakable
adj

Idiom: be on speaking terms

See under speaking.

Idiom: so to speak

In a way; as it were.
Example: had a bit of a tiff, so to speak
Thesaurus: that is to say, as the saying goes, in a manner of speaking.

Idiom: speak for itself

To have an obvious meaning; to need no further explanation or comment.
Thesaurus: be self-evident, be obvious.

Idiom: speak for oneself

To give one's own opinion or opinions.

To exclude others from what one is saying, referring to, etc.

Idiom: speak for yourself

An expression that is used by someone who wants to be disassociated from what has just been said or from the implications of it.
Example: Speak for yourself! I'm not going into that dive

Idiom: speak one's mind

To say what one thinks boldly, defiantly, without restraint, etc.

Idiom: speak ill of someone or something

To criticize them or it; to blacken their or its name.
Example: Don't speak ill of the dead

Idiom: speak the same language

See under language.

Idiom: speak the truth

To tell no lies.

Idiom: speak volumes

To be or act as a significant factor.
Example: The fact that he lied speaks volumes

Idiom: to speak of

Note: usually with negatives
Worth mentioning, considering, etc.
Example: received no education to speak of

Idiom: speak well of someone or something (speak highly of someone or something)

To admire them or it.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon specan.

Phrasal Verb: speak about something

To discuss it.To put it forward, or think of it as a possibility, often without any further action, etc being taken.
Example: had often spoken about working abroad

Phrasal Verb: speak about someone or something

To gossip about them.

Phrasal Verb: speak for

To give an opinion on behalf of (another or others).To articulate in either spoken or written words the commonly held feelings, beliefs, views, opinions, etc of (others).
Example: Kurt Cobain's lyrics speak for the twentysomethings

Phrasal Verb: speak of someone or something

To make mention of or refer to them or it, especially casually, tentatively, etc
Example: spoke of going to London for a few days.
To explore or discuss, eg in a piece of writing or other non-verbal medium.
Example: Heaney's poetry often speaks of the insecurities the poet goes through

Phrasal Verb: speak out

To speak openly; to state one's views forcefully.To speak more loudly.

Phrasal Verb: speak to someone

To have a conversation with them.To reprimand them.To be meaningful to them.
Example: That painting really speaks to me

Phrasal Verb: speak up

To speak more loudly.To make something known.
Example: If you've any objections, speak up now

Phrasal Verb: speak up for someone or something

To vouch for or defend them or it.To represent them or it.

Phrasal Verb: speak with someone

To talk to them.