Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

direct speech

noun [U]
 
 
(US also direct discourse) specialized

Definition

When you use direct speech, you repeat what someone has said using exactly the words they used: She said, "If it rains, I won't go out." is an example of the use of direct speech. → Compare indirect speechQuoting and making references
(Definition of direct speech noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Word of the Day

honest-to-goodness

real or true

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More