speaking
UK: ˈspiːkɪŋ | US: ˈspiːkɪŋ
n. the act of expressing thoughts or ideas verbally
adj. capable of or involving speech
ger. (gerund) the continuous form of "speak"
The word "speaking" derives from the Old English "specan" (later "sprecan"), meaning "to talk." The root "speak" retains its core meaning of verbal communication, while the suffix "-ing" transforms it into a noun (gerund) or adjective. The evolution reflects the Germanic root *sprekaną, linked to vocal expression across languages like Dutch ("spreken") and German ("sprechen"). The addition of "-ing" follows English's grammatical pattern of creating continuous forms or descriptors (e.g., "running," "writing").
Public speaking is a valuable skill in many professions.
She has a clear and confident speaking voice.
The professor banned speaking during the exam.
He improved his English by speaking with native speakers daily.
The robot’s speaking ability amazed the audience.