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Idioms And Phrases

conversation

[ kon-ver-sey-shuhn ]

/ ˌkɒn vərˈseɪ ʃən /

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See synonyms for: conversation / conversations on Thesaurus.com

noun

informal interchange of thoughts, information, etc., by spoken words; oral communication between persons; talk: how to master the art of conversation.
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.
an instance of this: I had a long phone conversation with my cousin in Florida.

an informal public exchange of ideas or opinions about a particular issue; a dialogue: It’s time for a global conversation about the epidemic.

association or social intercourse: a year's conversation with him as his caregiver and friend.

criminal conversation.

the ability to talk socially with others: She writes well but has no conversation.

Obsolete.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR conversation

1 dialogue, chat, colloquy.

See synonyms for conversation on Thesaurus.com

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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 converse¹, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM conversation

pre·con·ver·sa·tion, noun

Words nearby conversation

convergent thinking, converging lens, conversable, conversant, conversate, conversation, conversational, conversational implicature, conversationalist, conversational quality, conversation chair

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use conversation in a sentence

Personally, I’m happy for conversations that move things forward in helping us be ever-safer with online data usage and storage.
This decade’s most important marketing question: What data rights do advertisers possess?|Kirk Williams|September 17, 2020|Search Engine Land
Lorne Michaels, SNL’s producer, told Vulture in an interview that Carrey initiated the conversation about playing the part.
Trump contradicts CDC director on vaccine; Biden says Americans shouldn’t trust Trump|Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
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.
Pro-Trump youth group enlists teens in secretive campaign likened to a ‘troll farm,’ prompting rebuke by Facebook and Twitter|Isaac Stanley-Becker|September 15, 2020|Washington Post
It became a very emotional experience for me, these conversations.
The Last Bar Standing?|Eugene Robinson|September 15, 2020|Ozy

While standing in line for food I struck up a conversation with the man in front of me.
Making Poly Less of a Pain in the Ass|Eugene Robinson|September 14, 2020|Ozy
For many years afterward it was a never-ending topic of conversation, and is more or less talked of even to this day.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yet, for god knows what reason, his name is never brought up in the “Great American Filmmaker” conversation.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’|Marlow Stern|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Even though we were running late, Scott was jovial and candid in his conversation.
Remembering ESPN’s Sly, Cocky, and Cool Anchor Stuart Scott|Stereo Williams|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A successful trend-maker might be able to steer a conversation, but virality remains extremely difficult to predict.
China’s Internet Is Freer Than You Think|Brendon Hong|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In conversation, her ideas emerge at a roiling boil that often takes on a momentum of its own.
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination|Mindy Farabee|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A desultory conversation on politics, in which neither took the slightest interest, was a safe neutral ground.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Cousin George's position is such a happy one, that conversation is to him a thing superfluous.
Physiology of The Opera|John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")
He insisted upon my staying a while, and we had the most amusing and entertaining conversation imaginable.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
It was the conversation of every circle; and discussed according to the dispositions, or views of the speakers.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
During this conversation Harry's right hand was resting beneath his jacket, grasping the butt of his revolver.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn

British Dictionary definitions for conversation

conversation

/ (ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən) /

noun

the interchange through speech of information, ideas, etc; spoken communication

make conversation to talk in an artificial way

Other words from conversation

Related adjective: colloquial

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with conversation

conversation

In addition to the idiom beginning with conversation

conversation piece

also see:

make conversation

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.