dialogue

American  

[dahy-uh-lawg, -log] / ˈdaɪ əˌlɔg, -ˌlɒg /

Or dialog

noun

1. conversation between two or more persons.

2. the conversation between characters in a novel, drama, etc.

3. 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.

4. a literary work in the form of a conversation.

   a dialogue of Plato.

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verb (used without object)

dialogued, dialoguing

1. to carry on a dialogue; converse.

2. to discuss areas of disagreement frankly in order to resolve them.

verb (used with object)

dialogued, dialoguing

1. to put into the form of a dialogue.

dialogue British  

/ ˈdaɪəˌlɒɡ, ˌdaɪəˈlɒdʒɪk /

noun

1. conversation between two or more people

2. an exchange of opinions on a particular subject; discussion

3. the lines spoken by characters in drama or fiction

4. a particular passage of conversation in a literary or dramatic work

5. a literary composition in the form of a dialogue

6. a political discussion between representatives of two nations or groups

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verb

1. (tr) to put into the form of a dialogue

2. (intr) to take part in a dialogue; converse

Other Word Forms

• dialogic
  adjective
• dialoguer
  noun
• self-dialog
  noun
• self-dialogue
  noun
• underdialogue
  noun

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.

Example Sentences

The official line softened into neutrality: calls for de-escalation, freedom of navigation, dialogue among “all parties.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

More likely is the concept of a “board of trade” that focuses on nonsensitive goods, facilitates dialogue and potentially paves the way to reducing tariffs on $30 billion to $50 billion of goods.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

The need to come together across the political divide to find common solutions to shared concerns depends primarily on a sincere desire for real dialogue.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

That seems to be the prevailing attitude: It's better to remain in dialogue with one another than to foster further divisions.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

But the purpose of the fiction is to create a sense of reality which will convince the reader that the information in the dialogue is perfectly genuine.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• communication
• conference
• conversation
• discourse
• discussion
• exchange