colloquy
Americannoun
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a conversational exchange; dialogue.
-
a conference.
noun
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a formal conversation or conference
-
a literary work in dialogue form
-
an informal conference on religious or theological matters
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of colloquy
1555–65; < Latin colloquium colloquium
Explanation
A colloquy is a formal talk, the opposite of a chat, such as the colloquy you have with your boss about a serious matter — far different from how you'll talk to your friends about it afterward. To correctly pronounce colloquy, accent the first syllable: "KOLL uh kwee." The word comes from the Latin prefix com-, meaning "together," and loquium, meaning "speaking." That adds up to "speaking together." You probably recognize loqui, meaning "to speak," in words like locution and colloquial, which also involve speaking.
Vocabulary lists containing colloquy
"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 6
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Walden
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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.
The following “Dear Joe” email exchange is a hypothetical email colloquy between an expert in military law and a fictional service member seeking advice on how to deal with the current situation.
From Slate • Nov. 24, 2025
Some of his dialogue scenes — including a riveting colloquy between the questing Marianne and the questioning bishop — have the shape, rhythm and sorrowful wit of a Sondheim song.
From New York Times • Oct. 22, 2023
The opening exchange is treated as cross-examination masquerading as comradely colloquy.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2023
“That’s the remedy you have,” Justice Rolando T. Acosta said in a colloquy with Futerfas.
From Washington Post • May 11, 2022
Now then, their colloquy at an end, they went their ways—Athena toward illustrious Lakedaimon far over sea, to join Odysseus’ son.
From "The Odyssey" by Homer
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.
