speechless

UK: /ˈspiːtʃləs/ US: /ˈspitʃlɪs/ ,(spēch′lis)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

speech•less /ˈspitʃlɪs/   adj. 

1. temporarily unable to use the power of speech because of fear, exhaustion, astonishment, etc.:
   She was speechless with anger.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

speech•less  (spēch′lis), adj. 

1. temporarily deprived of speech by strong emotion, physical weakness, exhaustion, etc.:
   speechless with alarm.
2. characterized by absence or loss of speech:
   speechless joy.
3. lacking the faculty of speech;
   dumb.
4. not expressed in speech or words:
   speechless compliments.
5. refraining from speech.

• Middle English specheles, Old English spǣclēas. See speech, -less bef. 1000

speech′less•ly, adv. 
speech′less•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. dumfounded, shocked, mute. See dumb. 
• 3. silent, mute.

Antonyms

• 1. –3. loquacious, voluble, talkative.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

speechless / ˈspiːtʃlɪs/ adjective

1. not able to speak
2. temporarily deprived of speech
3. not expressed or able to be expressed in words: speechless fear

ˈspeechlessly adverb

ˈspeechlessness noun