different between speaking vs conversing

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?spi??k??/

Etymology 1

From Middle English spekinge, spekynge, spekinde, spekende, spekande, spekand, from Old English specende, sprecende (“speaking”), from Proto-Germanic *sprekandz (“speaking”), present participle of Proto-Germanic *sprekan? (“to speak”). Equivalent to speak +? -ing. Cognate with Scots speikand, speikin (“speaking”), Saterland Frisian spreekend (“speaking”), West Frisian sprekkend (“speaking”), Dutch sprekend (“speaking”), German Low German sprekend (“speaking”),German sprechend (“speaking”).

Adjective

speaking (not comparable)

1. Used in speaking.

   one's normal speaking voice

2. Expressive; eloquent.

   The sight was more speaking than any speech could be.

3. Involving speaking.

   It was her first speaking part: she screamed.

4. Having the ability of speech.

   speaking parrot; speaking clock

   1. (in compounds) Having competence in a language.

      the English-speaking gentleman gave us directions; I travel in Russian-speaking countries; the French-speaking world listened in to the broadcast

Antonyms

• (expressive): unspeaking
• (involving speaking): nonspeaking

Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English speking, spekinge, equivalent to speak +? -ing.

Noun

speaking (plural speakings)

1. One's ability to communicate vocally in a given language.

   I can read and understand most texts in German, but my speaking is awful.

2. The act of communicating vocally.
   • 2011, Jimmie W. Greene, Samuel D. Perry, Bridge Builder (page 50)

     Sometimes, a brawl would erupt, as a result, but, in general, public speakings were peaceful events and essential ingredients for election to office.

3. An oral recitation of e.g. a story.

Translations

Etymology 3

See the etymology of the main entry.

Verb

speaking

1. present participle of speak

Interjection

speaking

1. (telephony) Indication that the person requested is the same as the one who is currently speaking.

Translations

Further reading

Anagrams

• peakings

English

Pronunciation

Verb

conversing

1. present participle of converse

Noun

conversing (plural conversings)

1. conversation
   • 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe, s:Uncle Tom's Cabin

     Have you not, in your own secret souls, in your own private conversings, felt that there are woes and evils, in this accursed system, far beyond what are here shadowed, or can be shadowed?

Anagrams

• conserving