dialogue
Americannoun
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conversation between two or more persons.
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the conversation between characters in a novel, drama, etc.
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an exchange of ideas or opinions on a particular issue, especially a political or religious issue, with a view to reaching an amicable agreement or settlement.
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a literary work in the form of a conversation.
a dialogue of Plato.
verb (used without object)
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to carry on a dialogue; converse.
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to discuss areas of disagreement frankly in order to resolve them.
verb (used with object)
noun
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conversation between two or more people
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an exchange of opinions on a particular subject; discussion
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the lines spoken by characters in drama or fiction
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a particular passage of conversation in a literary or dramatic work
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a literary composition in the form of a dialogue
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a political discussion between representatives of two nations or groups
verb
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(tr) to put into the form of a dialogue
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(intr) to take part in a dialogue; converse
Other Word Forms
- dialogic adjective
- dialoguer noun
- self-dialog noun
- self-dialogue noun
- underdialogue noun
Etymology
Origin of dialogue
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French dïalogue, Latin dialogus, from Greek diálogos; equivalent to dia- + -logue
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The most valuable thing parents can do is create an open, ongoing dialogue about money.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026
“Duets” by Josef Albers is a study on paired compositions that are in dialogue: in form, in color and in texture.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
“We continue to observe a meaningful disconnect between the public dialogue on private credit and the underlying trends in our portfolio,” Blue Owl executives wrote in a letter to fund investors Thursday.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
A second senior government official also confirmed the talks, adding: "The meeting is to set a base for full-scale dialogue."
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
I spent three months studying every John Hughes teen movie and memorizing all the key lines of dialogue.
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.