bespeak

verb

be·​speak bi-ˈspēk 

bē-

bespoke bi-ˈspōk 

bē-

; bespoken bi-ˈspō-kən 

bē-

; bespeaking

transitive verb

1

: to hire, engage, or claim beforehand

2

: to speak to especially with formality : address

3

: request

bespeak a favor

4

a

: indicate, signify

her performance bespeaks considerable practice

b

: to show beforehand : foretell

Synonyms

• book
• reserve

Examples of bespeak in a Sentence

Her newest album bespeaks a great talent for writing songs.

bespoke the rental car weeks in advance of their trip

Recent Examples on the Web

On the other hand, the Trump campaign scheduled four events in the Tar Heel State in the final three days of the campaign — hardly a decision that bespeaks resounding confidence. —Niall Stanage, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024

The severity of the structures bespeaks a broader theme: the Japanese hierarchies working overtime to protect those in power. —Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2024

Strange and complicated rhythm structures and overheated harmonies, along with mystic bird calls in the piano all bespeak the magic of his young love. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024

Apple has long tended to its walled garden of in-house products, which has resulted in a uniform line of apps and accessories bespoke to its tech—and a whopping antitrust lawsuit from the Department of Justice. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bespeak

verb

be·​speak bi-ˈspēk 

bespoke -ˈspōk  ; bespoken -ˈspō-kən  ; bespeaking

1

: to ask or arrange for in advance

2

: to make plain : show

her performance bespeaks much practice