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. make conversation
   to talk in an artificial way

Other Words From

• pre·con·ver·sa·tion 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

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

Example Sentences

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

From Search Engine Land

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

From 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.

From Washington Post

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.

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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