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Meaning & use

speaking engagements

noun·Advanced

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UK/ˈspiːkɪŋ ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənts/
US/ˈspikɪŋ ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənts/

Meaning

  1. nounplural

    Paid or invited events where someone gives a speech or talk to an audience.

    Grammar: Used as a plural noun; the singular 'speaking engagement' refers to one event.

    Patterns

    • have speaking engagements
    • accept a speaking engagement
    • speaking engagements around the country

    After her book became a bestseller, she had speaking engagements in several cities.

    The professor limits her speaking engagements to two a month.

    He turned down a speaking engagement because it clashed with his teaching.

Word forms

singularspeaking engagement

Common combinations

a speaking engagement
She has a speaking engagement in Chicago next week.
accept a speaking engagement
The author accepted a speaking engagement at the conference.
a series of speaking engagements
The tour involves a series of speaking engagements across Europe.
paid speaking engagements
He earns extra income from paid speaking engagements.

Synonyms and how they differ

talk
More informal and general; a talk can be unpaid and small, while a speaking engagement often suggests an organized or professional event.
lecture
Usually educational and often part of teaching; a speaking engagement is broader and can be for any audience.

Word family

speak verb
To say words; the base verb behind 'speaking'.
speaker noun
A person who gives a speech or talk.

Commonly confused: speaking engagements or engagement?

speaking engagements vs engagement

On its own, 'engagement' often means an agreement to marry or a period of employment; in 'speaking engagements' it means scheduled talks.

Practice

The senator has several ______ in the coming month.

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