conversation piece

noun

1. any object that arouses comment because of some striking or unusual quality.
2. group portraiture representing more or less fashionable people either in an interior or landscape setting.
3. a play that relies for its effect mainly on the cleverness of its dialogue rather than on plot or action.

conversation piece

noun

1. something, esp an unusual object, that provokes conversation
2. (esp in 18th-century Britain) a group portrait in a landscape or domestic setting
3. a play emphasizing dialogue

Word History and Origins

Origin of conversation piece¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Idioms and Phrases

An unusual object that arouses comment or interest, as in That bust of Aunt Nettie is ugly but it's an excellent conversation piece . In the early 1700s this same term was used for a particular kind of painting that represented a group, often a family, arranged as though they were conversing with one another. Later in the century the term was extended to any object that stimulates conversation.

Example Sentences

Think about what can be a conversation piece or what will make you smile when you return home.

From Washington Post

Everyone is clothed and basically just laughing at this silly sex toy someone brought out as a conversation piece.

From The Daily Beast

Plus, a phone call from “NSFWCorp” is an unfailing conversation piece.

From The Daily Beast

At dinner, the dress was an instant hit, and I experienced what it was like to be a sartorial conversation piece.

From The Daily Beast

Aper calls it little more than 400 years; but in a conversation-piece strict accuracy is not to be expected.

From Project Gutenberg

He indignantly refused to make a bid for the “Conversation Piece” ascribed to Hogarth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abnormality
• anomaly
• characteristic
• curiosity
• idiosyncrasy
• incongruity
• irregularity
• peculiarity
• phenomenon
• quirk
• rarity