speaker

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person who gives a talk or speech to an audience.

   Grammar: Countable; plural is speakers. Often followed by at or to: a speaker at the event.

   Patterns

   • a speaker at an event
   • a guest speaker
   • a speaker of a language

   The main speaker at the conference was a famous scientist.

   She is a fluent speaker of Spanish and French.

   Each speaker had ten minutes to present their ideas.

2. 2nouncountable

   A device that changes electrical signals into sound.

   Grammar: Countable; plural is speakers. Often used in the plural for a pair of devices.

   Patterns

   • a speaker system
   • computer speakers
   • turn up the speakers

   The speakers on my laptop are not very loud.

   He connected the speakers to the stereo.

   Please turn down the speaker; it's too loud.

3. 3nouncountableformal

   The official who leads discussions in a legislative body, such as the House of Representatives.

   Grammar: Countable; often capitalized when used as a title: the Speaker of the House.

   Patterns

   • the Speaker of the House
   • the Speaker of Parliament

   The Speaker called the meeting to order.

   She was elected Speaker of the House last year.

   The Speaker has the power to decide who may speak.

Word forms

Common combinations

guest speaker

The guest speaker talked about climate change.

native speaker

A native speaker can often hear subtle accent differences.

public speaker

He is a confident public speaker.

speaker system

They installed a new speaker system in the hall.

Speaker of the House

The Speaker of the House announced the vote.

Synonyms and how they differ

orator

A formal word for a skilled public speaker; speaker is more general.

lecturer

Someone who gives educational talks, often at a university; a speaker can talk at any event.

loudspeaker

A device for making sound, often used for public address; speaker is the general term and can also mean a person.

Opposites

Word family

speak verb

To say words; to talk.

speech noun

A formal talk given to an audience.

Commonly confused: speaker or spoke?

Practice

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