conversation

[ kon-ver-sey-shuhn ]
See synonyms for: conversationconversations on Thesaurus.com

noun
    • informal interchange of thoughts, information, etc., by spoken words; oral communication between persons; talk: how to master the art of conversation.

    • such interchange by sign language, email, or other nonoral means of communication: I enjoy our time on the phone, but she prefers conversation by texting.

    • an instance of this: I had a long phone conversation with my cousin in Florida.

  1. an informal public exchange of ideas or opinions about a particular issue; a dialogue: It’s time for a global conversation about the epidemic.

  1. association or social intercourse: a year's conversation with him as his caregiver and friend.

  2. the ability to talk socially with others: She writes well but has no conversation.

  3. Obsolete.

    • behavior or manner of living.

    • close familiarity; intimate acquaintance, as from constant use or study.

Origin of conversation

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English conversacio(u)n, from Latin conversātiōn- (stem of conversātiō ) “familiarity, conduct, behavior,” equivalent to conversāt(us), past participle of conversārī “to associate with” + -iōn- noun suffix; see origin at converse1, -ion

Other words for conversation

Other words from conversation

  • pre·con·ver·sa·tion, noun

Words Nearby conversation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use conversation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for conversation

conversation

/ (ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən) /


noun
  1. the interchange through speech of information, ideas, etc; spoken communication

  2. make conversation to talk in an artificial way

Other words from conversation

  • Related adjective: colloquial

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with conversation

conversation

In addition to the idiom beginning with conversation

  • conversation piece

also see:

  • make conversation

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.