conversation Hear it!

conversation Definition

con·ver·sa·tion (kän′vər sā′s̸hən)

noun

  1. the act or an instance of talking together; specif.,
    1. familiar talk; verbal exchange of ideas, opinions, etc.
    2. an informal conference on a problem or area of interest by representatives of governments, factions, etc.
  2. sexual intercourse: now only in the legal phrase criminal conversation, i.e., adultery as grounds for divorce or other action
  3. Archaic manner of living; behavior
  4. Obsolete social intercourse
  5. Obsolete familiarity based on study or use

Etymology: ME conversacioun < OFr conversation < L conversatio < pp. of conversari: see converse

conversation Synonyms

conversation

n.

talk, chat, discourse, discussion, communion, communication, intercourse, consultation, hearing, conference, interview, gossip, converse, colloquy, parley, dialogue, causerie, expression of views, exchange of views, mutual exchange, tête-à-tête, questions and answers, traffic in ideas, engaging in persiflage, repartee, give-and-take, questioning, oral examination, exchange of confidences, unburdening oneself, talking it out, heart-to-heart talk, small talk, chitchat, palaver, interchange, interlocution, confabulation, confab*, powwow*, bull session*, talkfest*, gabfest*, chinfest*, pillow talk*, rap session*, rap*, tattle*; see also communication 1, discussion 1.

conversation Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • overhear: I can get inspiration for songs from many things; the weather, people, overheard conversation, moods.
  • recall: Actually, I can recall two conversations I had in English which lasted longer than five minutes.
  • whisper: The oxygen machine drowned out the sound of any whispered conversations.
  • imagine: So we have taken the liberty to imagine a conversation of what might have been.
  • hold: Quite simply, he appears to have forgotten how to hold a proper conversation with anyone.
  • remember: Thinking back over the past few years, I can probably remember every single conversation I've had on the subject.

Preposition: with

  • stranger: Don't expect a long conversation with a total stranger at the bus stop or in the bus.
  • someone: Go to health stores and start up conversation with someone who is buying the same tofu as you.
  • colleague: Another incident, which I heard about through conversations with colleagues, occurred more recently in a major national visual arts institution.

Adjective modifier

  • casual: The formal style required for academic essay writing is usually a lot easier to master than casual conversation.
  • polite: Perhaps he had used all the vocabulary garnishing his poetry, desperately trying to scout back for some for starting a polite conversation.
  • everyday: In this way a unique record of the language people use in everyday conversation was constructed.
  • face-to-face: A face-to-face conversation is not simply an exercise in exchanging information, but rather is an ongoing negotiation of shared meaning and understanding.
  • informal: What are children learning in these kinds of informal online conversations?
  • two-way: The time for ordinary two-way conversation is afterward, when the recorder is switched off.

Modifies a noun

starter: Leisure activity related Questions Questions related to leisure time can be great conversation starters.

Noun used with modifier

  • telephone: She asked him to wait whilst she finished her telephone conversation, which he did.
  • after-dinner: Go along: beef up your after-dinner conversation; satisfy your intellect; learn something.
  • phone: From scribbled notes on the back of an envelope during a phone conversation.
  • dinner: But, does this happen at IBM or does it make for dinner table conversation?