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
Etymology
Origin of dialogue
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French dïalogue, Latin dialogus, from Greek diálogos; equivalent to dia- + -logue
Explanation
If you land a role in a local play, you will probably have to memorize several lines of dialogue. If you disagree with how that play is being produced, you may want to open up a dialogue with the director. Dialogue can refer to spoken lines in a dramatic performance such as a play, a film, or a television show. It is also any conversation between two or more people. On the written page, dialogue between characters is usually enclosed by quotation marks. When persons representing different political parties or different nations are said to engage in a dialogue, it means they are probably negotiating something of importance.
Vocabulary lists containing dialogue
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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AP English Lit exam terms
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Language and Grammar - Introductory
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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.
“We are seeing those accounts getting the traction you would expect from high-profile individuals,” said Bret Schafer, a senior director at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a think tank that is tracking pro-Iran activity online.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
"Dialogue, diplomacy and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward."
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
"The feeds I monitor are still flooded with AI-generated content about the war," Joe Bodnar of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue told AFP.
From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026
“No foreign investors will come during this uncertain period, without political stability, without an elected government,” said Fahmida Khatun, director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, a think tank based in Dhaka.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026
It takes proper form in the years after the publication of Galileo’s Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems in 1632.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
