talkative

[taw-kuh-tiv]

adjective

inclined to talk a great deal: One drink and she became very talkative.

Origin of talkative

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at talk, -ative

Related formstalk·a·tive·ly, adverbtalk·a·tive·ness, nounnon·talk·a·tive, adjectivenon·talk·a·tive·ly, adverbnon·talk·a·tive·ness, nouno·ver·talk·a·tive, adjectiveo·ver·talk·a·tive·ly, adverbo·ver·talk·a·tive·ness, nounun·talk·a·tive, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com

wordy, verbose, prolix. Talkative, garrulous, loquacious characterize a person who talks a great deal. Talkative is a neutral or mildly unfavorable word applied to a person who is inclined to talk a great deal, sometimes without significance: a talkative child. The garrulous person talks with wearisome persistence, usually about personal and trivial things: a garrulous old man. A loquacious person, intending to be sociable, talks continuously and at length: a loquacious host.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for talkative

Contemporary Examples

But he's also energetic, talkative, and boyishly excited about not just his beer, but all beer.
House of the Witch: The Renegade Craft Brewers of Panama
Jeff Campagna
November 30, 2014
But then the tall, solidly built former paratrooper has been the least talkative of the separatists.
Inside Putin's Rigged Ukraine Election
Jamie Dettmer
May 12, 2014
Shandee, a student on a geology field trip, finds a disembodied—but talkative—arm in a quarry.
Hot, Bothered, and Bored
Malcolm Jones
August 9, 2011
To my amazement, she gave me a hug and she was very upbeat and talkative.
Casey's Roommate Tells All
Diane Dimond
June 22, 2011
Upbeat and talkative, he sports a mischievous grin that refuses to fade.
The Left's Unlikely Tea Party Target
Benjamin Sarlin
August 28, 2010

Historical Examples

Many words of the talkative German were running in his mind from the night before.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Hamish was more gay and talkative than usual—Arthur was silent as the grave.
The Channings
Mrs. Henry Wood
The captain didn't say anything about it; he was not a talkative man.
In a Steamer Chair and Other Stories
Robert Barr
They are not talkative and boisterous as these are, but silent, sullen and revengeful.
Chronicles of Border Warfare
Alexander Scott Withers
For a moment or so Rose, previously so talkative, had lapsed into silence.
Fruitfulness
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for talkative

talkative

adjective

given to talking a great deal

Derived Formstalkatively, adverbtalkativeness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for talkative

adj.

mid-15c.; see talk + -ive. Related: Talkatively; talkativeness.

talkative

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}talkative

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for talkative

Contemporary Examples

But he's also energetic, talkative, and boyishly excited about not just his beer, but all beer.

But then the tall, solidly built former paratrooper has been the least talkative of the separatists.

Shandee, a student on a geology field trip, finds a disembodied—but talkative—arm in a quarry.

To my amazement, she gave me a hug and she was very upbeat and talkative.

Upbeat and talkative, he sports a mischievous grin that refuses to fade.

Historical Examples

Many words of the talkative German were running in his mind from the night before.

Hamish was more gay and talkative than usual—Arthur was silent as the grave.

The captain didn't say anything about it; he was not a talkative man.

They are not talkative and boisterous as these are, but silent, sullen and revengeful.

For a moment or so Rose, previously so talkative, had lapsed into silence.

talkative

Word Origin and History for talkative

adj.

Origin of talkative