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speak to. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
speak to, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
speak to in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
speak to you have here. The definition of the word
speak to will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
speak to, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
First used in 1610 in the sense of 'discuss'. Use for the meaning of 'bespeak' is attested since the 1960s.
Pronunciation
Verb
speak to (third-person singular simple present speaks to, present participle speaking to, simple past spoke to, past participle spoken to)
- (idiomatic) To give evidence regarding something; to attest or provide evidence for; to bespeak.
2006, Staff of Vault, The College Buzz Book, page 176:This definitely speaks to the fact that at Georgetown, beginning at the admissions process, you're not a number but a real person.
2018, James Lambert, “A multitude of ‘lishes’: The nomenclature of hybridity”, in English World-Wide, page 7:Leaving aside the abundance of negativity for the time being, in aggregate these attempts at definition speak to the multitude of linguistic phenomena characteristic of language hybridity in multilingual settings, albeit explained with differing emphases by different definers.
- (idiomatic) To address a particular topic.
1981, McGill journal of education:Education for being speaks to what grows within the person himself
- (idiomatic) To (figuratively) resonate with; to feel emotionally relevant to.
His music really speaks to me.
2023 August 31, Frankie de la Cretaz, “Postcard from Camp Gaylore”, in Cosmopolitan:With its pastel cover and pro-LGBTQ+ anthem “You Need to Calm Down,” Lover got a ton of airplay in that two-bedroom apartment. And the breakup songs—“Death by a Thousand Cuts,” “I Forgot That You Existed”—certainly spoke to me.
Usage notes
These usages are in addition to the main (and not idiomatic) usage meaning "to address one's words to (someone)".
Translations
to give evidence regarding something
to address a particular topic