Speechless Meaning
/ˈspiːt͡ʃ.lɪs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjNot speaking; not knowing what to say; silent, especially due to surprise, amazement, etc.; wordless.
adjSynonym of unspeakable.
Sentence Examples
They were left speechless.
I'm appalled. You leave me speechless.
The woman was so surprised as to be speechless.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The unexpected news left me completely ____; I couldn't say a word.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She was completely ____ when she opened the large gift box and found a beautiful diamond ring.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English specheles, from Old English sprǣċlēas (“speechless; without the power of speak”), from Proto-Germanic *sprēkalausaz, equivalent to speech + -less. Cognate with West Frisian sprakeleas (“speechless”), Dutch sprakeloos (“speechless”), German Low German spraaklos (“speechless”), German sprachlos (“speechless”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The attack was so unwarranted and delivered with such venom that his unpreparedness for it left him speechless."
— 1966, James Workman, The Mad Emperor, Melbourne, Sydney: Scripts, page 62:
"Immortal Pleaſures round my ſwimming Eyes did dance,
And ſpeechleſs Joys, in whoſe ſweet Tumult toſt,
I thought my Breath, and my new Being loſt."
— 1690, John Dryden, The State of Innocence, and Fall of Man, J.M., page 14:
"O Mother Earth, O Sun that makest clean,
What poison have I heard, what speechless sin !"
— 1902, Gilbert Murray, Euripides, Longmans, Green, and co., page 32:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The unexpected news left me completely ____; I couldn't say a word.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She was completely ____ when she opened the large gift box and found a beautiful diamond ring.