on speaking terms

phrase

: friendly and willing to speak to each other
They're not on speaking terms.

Examples of on speaking terms in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two business class seats in the center or each row also do not have privacy screens between them, and so are best booked by people on speaking terms. — Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026 Sarah Ferguson and her ex-husband, the former Prince Andrew, are reportedly no longer on speaking terms. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 7 Oct. 2026 The brothers have not been on speaking terms for some time, and William is reportedly dead set against ever reconciling with Harry. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026 Porsha and Shamea are no longer on speaking terms after a rocky past year, exacerbated by a heated post-reunion text exchange. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for on speaking terms

Rhymes for on speaking terms

See All Rhymes for on speaking terms

Browse Nearby Words

on someone's way out
on speaking terms
on spec
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On speaking terms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20speaking%20terms. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All