conversation
Americannoun
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conversations
plural
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informal interchange of thoughts, information, etc., by spoken words; oral communication between persons; talk.
how to master the art of conversation.
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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.
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an instance of this.
I had a long phone conversation with my cousin in Florida.
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an informal public exchange of ideas or opinions about a particular issue; a dialogue.
It’s time for a global conversation about the epidemic.
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association or social intercourse.
a year's conversation with him as his caregiver and friend.
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the ability to talk socially with others.
She writes well but has no conversation.
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Obsolete.
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behavior or manner of living.
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close familiarity; intimate acquaintance, as from constant use or study.
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noun
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the interchange through speech of information, ideas, etc; spoken communication
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to talk in an artificial way
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of conversation
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; see origin at converse 1, -ion
Explanation
A conversation occurs when people talk to each other, like a conversation with your friend about school or professional basketball. The noun conversation comes from the Old French word of the same spelling, meaning "manner of conducting oneself in the world." When you have a conversation with another person or a group of people, you listen closely and respond appropriately, so that your conversation is a true exchange of ideas, not just people waiting for their turn to talk. A good conversation makes you feel heard, satisfied, and maybe even more informed.
Vocabulary lists containing conversation
The Language of the Test, List 3
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"Frankenstein" and "How Frankenstein Began"
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Speaking and Listening - 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.
See Examples For:
But “that’s a conversation nobody wants to have because falling prices are great for buyers and absolutely terrifying for people who bought at the top,” he said.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
Since its 2020 release, “Promising Young Woman” has become a lightning rod for heated conversation — quite a far cry from its initially warm reception, which led to five Oscar nominations and one win.
From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026
Warsh is scheduled to appear in a moderated conversation at the fall meetings of the International Monetary Fund on Oct.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
What does that feel like in terms of how you see the conversation unfolding around your comedy on social media?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
But in the moment of the conversation my pointed questions had flown out of my head and they were replaced instead by grief and confusion.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
As the players prepared to head out for the mission, conversations turned to far more important matters.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
Rebuilding trust will take time and patience, she said, calling for open, non-judgmental conversations with parents.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
Jordan added that he has little patience for “side conversations afterwards.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Those are conversations companies are having, but many have not made decisions yet.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
It was a lot like the men’s dare, although Mother and Sister Gladys sometimes attended, and Nhamo learned a great deal from the conversations.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
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.
