Langimage
English

spoken

|spo/ken|

B1

🇺🇸

/ˈspoʊ.kən/

🇬🇧

/ˈspəʊ.kən/

(speak)

not expressed

Base FormPluralPlural3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleNoun
speakspeakersspokesspeaksspokespokenspeakingunspokenness
Etymology
Etymology Information

'spoken' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'specan,' where 'spec-' meant 'to speak.'

Historical Evolution

'specan' transformed into the Middle English word 'speken,' and eventually became the modern English word 'speak.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to utter words,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

past participle form of 'speak'.

She has spoken to him about the issue.

Adjective 1

expressed in speech; oral.

The spoken word can be more powerful than the written word.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39