speech S2 W2 / spitʃ / 名词

1 [可数名词] a talk, especially a formal one about a particular subject, given to a group of people

make/give/deliver a speech

Each child had to give a short speech to the rest of the class.

He has to make a lot of after-dinner speeches .

speech on/about

a major speech on relations with China

Collins gave the keynote speech (= most important speech ) .

2 [不可数名词] the ability to speak :

Only humans are capable of speech.

3 [不可数名词] spoken language rather than written language :

In speech we use a smaller vocabulary than in writing.

4 [不可数名词] the particular way in which someone speaks :

Bob’s speech was slurred, and he sounded drunk.

5 [可数名词] a set of lines that an actor must say in a play :

Hamlet’s longest speech

→ direct speech , figure of speech , indirect speech , part of speech , reported speech , → speech bubble at bubble 1 ( 4 ) , → freedom of speech at freedom ( 1 )

COLLOCATIONS

动词

give/make a speech She gave a speech at the party conference.

deliver a speech formal The President delivered a major speech to Congress yesterday.

ADJECTIVES/NOUN + speech

long The speeches were all really long.

short/brief The chairman opened the meeting with a brief speech.

a passionate/impassioned speech (= full of strong feeling ) She made impassioned speeches on civil rights.

an emotional speech (= showing emotions, especially by crying ) On retiring, she delivered an emotional farewell speech.

a moving speech (= making people feel strong emotions ) That was a very moving speech.

a powerful speech (= having a strong effect on people’s opinions ) He gave a powerful speech calling for unity.

a rousing/stirring speech (= making people feel excited and eager to do something ) Thousands of people were inspired by his stirring speeches.

a major speech (= very important ) This was her first major speech as party leader.

somebody’s inaugural speech (= their first one in an important political job ) He said all the right things in his inaugural speech.

somebody’s acceptance speech (= when they accept a political job, a prize, or an award ) In his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to his wife.

a farewell speech (= by someone who is leaving )

an after-dinner speech (= after a formal dinner ) He gets paid a lot for making after-dinner speeches.

a keynote speech (= the most important one at an event ) The Prime Minister will make his keynote speech at the conference today.

a political speech She began writing political speeches for local politicians.

a campaign speech (= given during a political campaign ) Eisenhower was careful in his campaign speeches to use only the vaguest of 短语 .

COMMON ERRORS

► Do not say ’ do a speech ‘. Say give a speech or make a speech .

THESAURUS

speech a talk, especially a formal one about a particular subject, given to a group of people : The bridegroom usually makes a speech after the wedding. | In her speech, she proposed major changes to the welfare system. | the opening speech of the conference

address formal a speech that a very important person gives to a large group of people : the President’s address to the nation | He was surrounded by security officers as he made his address.

talk an occasion when someone speaks to a group of people giving them information about a particular subject or about their experiences : I went to an interesting talk on the wildlife of Antarctica. | He’s been asked to give a talk about his trip to India.

lecture a talk, especially on an academic subject and given to students in a university : a lecture on 17th century French literature | Professor Black is giving the lecture.

presentation a talk in which you describe or explain a new product or idea, especially one you give for your company : I had to give a presentation to the board of directors. | He’s making a presentation to the management of a well-known manufacturing company.

sermon a talk given by a priest or a religious leader : The vicar preached a sermon about the need for forgiveness.

statement a spoken or written an 名词 cement that someone makes in public, often to journalist s : The minister issued a short statement in which he said he had no plans to resign.