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View synonyms for conversation

conversation

[ kon-ver-sey-shuhn ]

noun

    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

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

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

  2. association or social intercourse:

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

  3. the ability to talk socially with others:

    She writes well but has no conversation.

  4. 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
“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


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Other Words From

  • pre·con·ver·sa·tion noun
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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
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Idioms and Phrases

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

Personally, I’m happy for conversations that move things forward in helping us be ever-safer with online data usage and storage.

Lorne Michaels, SNL’s producer, told Vulture in an interview that Carrey initiated the conversation about playing the part.

They also were instructed to edit the beginning and ending of each snippet to differentiate the posts slightly, according to the notes from the recorded conversation with a participant.

It became a very emotional experience for me, these conversations.

From Ozy

While standing in line for food I struck up a conversation with the man in front of me.

From Ozy

For many years afterward it was a never-ending topic of conversation, and is more or less talked of even to this day.

Yet, for god knows what reason, his name is never brought up in the “Great American Filmmaker” conversation.

Even though we were running late, Scott was jovial and candid in his conversation.

A successful trend-maker might be able to steer a conversation, but virality remains extremely difficult to predict.

In conversation, her ideas emerge at a roiling boil that often takes on a momentum of its own.

A desultory conversation on politics, in which neither took the slightest interest, was a safe neutral ground.

Cousin George's position is such a happy one, that conversation is to him a thing superfluous.

He insisted upon my staying a while, and we had the most amusing and entertaining conversation imaginable.

It was the conversation of every circle; and discussed according to the dispositions, or views of the speakers.

During this conversation Harry's right hand was resting beneath his jacket, grasping the butt of his revolver.

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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.

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