speechify: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
UncommonFormal/Literary, often with a critical or humorous tone.
Quick answer
What does “speechify” mean?
To make a speech, especially in a formal, lengthy, or pompous manner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make a speech, especially in a formal, lengthy, or pompous manner.
Often implies delivering a speech that is tedious, self-important, or overly formal, sometimes without substantial content, and can carry a negative or humorous connotation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Similarly negative in both varieties, implying pompous or tedious speech-making.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “speechify” in a Sentence
speechify about [topic]speechify to [audience]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “speechify” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The MP would often speechify for hours in Parliament about minor issues.
- During the meeting, he began to speechify pompously, losing everyone's interest.
American English
- The senator loved to speechify at every campaign stop, droning on about his achievements.
- She speechified about environmental policies during the conference, but offered no new solutions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; if employed, it might be in a critical remark about a colleague's long-winded presentation.
Academic
Occasionally found in literary criticism or rhetorical studies to describe verbose or pretentious speaking.
Everyday
Almost never used in casual conversation; might be used humorously to mock someone speaking excessively.
Technical
Not applicable in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “speechify”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “speechify”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “speechify”
- Using it transitively, e.g., 'He speechified the audience' should be 'He speechified to the audience.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an uncommon word, often used in formal or literary contexts with a negative connotation.
No, it is an intransitive verb and is typically used with prepositions like 'about' or 'to', as in 'speechify about politics' or 'speechify to the audience'.
'Speechify' implies making a speech in a formal, lengthy, or pompous manner, often negatively, whereas 'speak' is a neutral, general term for verbal communication.
It is equally rare in both British and American English, with no significant differences in usage or connotation.
To make a speech, especially in a formal, lengthy, or pompous manner.
Speechify is usually formal/literary, often with a critical or humorous tone. in register.
Speechify: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspiːtʃɪfaɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspiːtʃɪfaɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'speech' + 'ify' – like 'magnify' but for speech, implying making it bigger or more important than necessary, often in a tedious way.
Conceptual Metaphor
Speechifying is performing a tedious spectacle.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'speechify' typically imply?