conversation

[ kon-ver-sey-shuhn ]

noun

1. 1. informal interchange of thoughts, information, etc., by spoken words; oral communication between persons; talk:

      how to master the art of conversation.

   2. 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.

   3. an instance of this:

      I had a long phone conversation with my cousin in Florida.

   Synonyms: colloquy, chat, dialogue

2. an informal public exchange of ideas or opinions about a particular issue; a dialogue:

   It’s time for a global conversation about the epidemic.

3. association or social intercourse:

   a year's conversation with him as his caregiver and friend.

4. criminal conversation.
5. the ability to talk socially with others:

   She writes well but has no conversation.

6. Obsolete.
   1. behavior or manner of living.
   2. close familiarity; intimate acquaintance, as from constant use or study.

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

• pre·con·ver·sa·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conversation¹

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; converse ¹, -ion

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with conversation , also see make conversation .

Example Sentences

This includes having preliminary conversations with officials with North Carolina Medicaid, which expanded eligibility last year to cover more people.

From Science Daily

“The kind of humor that I imagine doctors in emergency rooms have,” Bouchard told me in a 2020 conversation ahead of the series’ 200th episode.

From Salon

In a post on social media, Mr. Starbuck said he had told executives at the company that he was working on a story about “wokeness” at Walmart, but instead the two sides had “productive conversations.”

From New York Times

And what are those conversations like after they’ve seen the movie?

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s just real conversation,” he says with a laugh.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chat
• comment
• communication
• conference
• consultation
• debate
• discussion
• exchange
• gossip
• hearing
• observation
• questioning
• remark
• speech
• talk
• visit