speech bubble

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A rounded shape drawn near a character in a comic or cartoon, containing the words that character says or thinks.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a speech bubble' or 'speech bubbles'.

   Patterns

   • a speech bubble above someone
   • draw a speech bubble
   • in a speech bubble

   The character's words appeared in a speech bubble above her head.

   He drew a speech bubble with the words 'Hello!' inside it.

   The speech bubble was empty, so the reader had to guess what was said.

2. 2nouncountable

   A similar shape used in diagrams or signs to show that someone is speaking.

   Grammar: Countable, often used in instructional or technical writing.

   Patterns

   • use a speech bubble
   • add a speech bubble

   The teacher added a speech bubble to the picture to show the character talking.

   In the manual, a speech bubble points to the person giving instructions.

Word forms

Common combinations

draw a speech bubble

She drew a speech bubble next to the smiling face.

a speech bubble above someone

There was a speech bubble above the baby in the cartoon.

fill in a speech bubble

The editor asked her to fill in the speech bubble with a funny line.

an empty speech bubble

An empty speech bubble can be a clever way to let readers guess.

Synonyms and how they differ

speech balloon

A slightly more formal variant, often used in art and design contexts.

bubble

Short form used when the context is clear; it can also mean a soap bubble, so it is less precise.

Word family

speech noun

The act of speaking or a formal talk.

bubble noun

A ball of air or gas in liquid, or a rounded shape.

Commonly confused: speech bubble or speech balloon?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “speech bubble”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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