conversation
- informal interchange of thoughts, information, etc., by spoken words; oral communication between persons; talk; colloquy.
- an instance of this.
- association or social intercourse; intimate acquaintance.
- 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.
Origin of conversation
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words
commentconferenceremarkobservationexchangecommunicationdiscussionvisithearingconsultationspeechchatgossipquestioningdebatetalkconfabreparteeconfabulationintercourseExamples from the Web for conversation
Contemporary Examples
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.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’Marlow Stern
January 6, 2015
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.
Historical Examples
Mr. Davis, may I ask the favor of a few minutes' conversation with you in private?
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
"Not at all," persisted he, accepting as conversation what she meant as a stab.
MalboneThomas Wentworth Higginson
I continued the conversation for an hour, and with the same result.
How I closed the argument—the conversation and the interview—and escaped from her, I know not.
I have desired him to inquire after Lovelace's life and conversation in town.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
conversation
- the interchange through speech of information, ideas, etc; spoken communication
- make conversation to talk in an artificial way
Word Origin and History for conversation
n.
mid-14c., "living together, having dealings with others," also "manner of conducting oneself in the world;" from Old French conversation, from Latin conversationem (nominative conversatio) "act of living with," noun of action from past participle stem of conversari "to live with, keep company with," literally "turn about with," from Latin com- "with" (see com-) + vertare, frequentative of vertere (see versus).
Specific sense of "talk" is 1570s. Used as a synonym for "sexual intercourse" from at least 1511, hence criminal conversation, legal term for adultery from late 18c. Related: Conversationalist; conversationist.
Idioms and Phrases with conversation
conversation
In addition to the idiom beginning with conversation
- conversation piece
also see:
- make conversation