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. to talk in an artificial way

Other Word Forms

• preconversation 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

• make conversation

Example Sentences

Focus the conversation on his money habits, as opposed to the debt itself, says New York City-based dating coach Grace Lee.

Read more on MarketWatch

While Alphabet has stolen some of Nvidia’s thunder in the artificial-intelligence conversation lately, the chip giant still seems to have the power to create winners in the stock market.

Read more on MarketWatch

He said callers should be treated as "real people with something to say" and that the phone-in should be treated "like a conversation that matters".

Read more on BBC

Gaffigan is serious enough about his pursuit to say “my whiskey journey” several times in conversation with a straight face and no air quotes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"It feels like the natural progression in an ongoing conversation about what it means to be human in a tech-driven world -- and the extremes of online culture," he added in a statement.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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