speechless

Meaning

Adjective

• Not speaking; not knowing what to say; silent, especially due to surprise, amazement, etc.
• Synonym of unspeakable

Origin

• 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").