dialogue
Americannoun
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conversation between two or more persons.
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the conversation between characters in a novel, drama, etc.
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an exchange of ideas or opinions on a particular issue, especially a political or religious issue, with a view to reaching an amicable agreement or settlement.
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a literary work in the form of a conversation.
a dialogue of Plato.
verb (used without object)
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to carry on a dialogue; converse.
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to discuss areas of disagreement frankly in order to resolve them.
verb (used with object)
noun
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conversation between two or more people
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an exchange of opinions on a particular subject; discussion
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the lines spoken by characters in drama or fiction
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a particular passage of conversation in a literary or dramatic work
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a literary composition in the form of a dialogue
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a political discussion between representatives of two nations or groups
verb
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(tr) to put into the form of a dialogue
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(intr) to take part in a dialogue; converse
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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dialoguesimple
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dialoguessimple
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have dialoguedperfect
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has dialoguedperfect
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am dialoguingprogressive
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are dialoguingprogressive
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is dialoguingprogressive
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have been dialoguingperfect progressive
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has been dialoguingperfect progressive
Past
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dialoguedsimple
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had dialoguedperfect
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was dialoguingprogressive
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were dialoguingprogressive
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had been dialoguingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of dialogue
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French dïalogue, Latin dialogus, from Greek diálogos; equivalent to dia- + -logue
Explanation
If you land a role in a local play, you will probably have to memorize several lines of dialogue. If you disagree with how that play is being produced, you may want to open up a dialogue with the director. Dialogue can refer to spoken lines in a dramatic performance such as a play, a film, or a television show. It is also any conversation between two or more people. On the written page, dialogue between characters is usually enclosed by quotation marks. When persons representing different political parties or different nations are said to engage in a dialogue, it means they are probably negotiating something of importance.
Vocabulary lists containing dialogue
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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AP English Lit exam terms
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Language and Grammar - 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.
The company is in close dialogue with BaFin, the spokeswoman said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
Polestar Chief Executive Michael Lohscheller said in a recent interview that the company was “in good dialogue with authorities” about obtaining an exemption.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026
"Scepticism and rigour are hallmarks of the scientific process, which we appreciate and have supported from various academics. We have participated in dialogue and our thorough rebuttal was accepted and published by Nature."
From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026
Venezuelan opposition figure Dinorah Figuera told AFP on Friday she is traveling to the United States for meetings, a day after returning from years in exile to initiate dialogue with Venezuela's interim government.
From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026
His lips move with the actors as they say his favorite lines of dialogue.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
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.
