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.

---

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

---

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

Seyfert said his company had no choice because Beretta wouldn’t engage in substantive dialogue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Daniel Walker, the rabbi of the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester which was attacked last October, stresses the importance of dialogue between those of different faiths and perspectives.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

The movie is well-written but haphazardly made, with some choppy editing and a soundtrack of Cheech & Chong original songs that frequently drown out the dialogue to the point of irritation.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

I use the sunsets and the beauty to create a dialogue, to entice people to sort of look a little bit at how things are contextualized, how things act, what’s actually happening.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

He was known to fire longtime employees for not recognizing an obscure line of movie dialogue he quoted, or if he discovered they weren’t familiar with one of his favorite cartoons, comic books, or videogames.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Related Words

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