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talk Definition

talk (tôk)

intransitive verb

    1. to put ideas into, or exchange ideas by, spoken words; speak; converse
    2. to express something in words; make a statement (of, on, about, etc. something)
  2. to express ideas by speech substitutes to talk by signs
  3. to speak emptily or trivially; chatter
  4. to gossip
  5. to confer; consult
  6. to make noises suggestive of speech
  7. to reveal secret information; esp., to confess or inform on someone
  8. to make a speech, esp. a somewhat informal one

Etymology: ME talken (akin to Fris, to chatter), prob. freq. based on OE talian, to reckon, akin to talu, tale

transitive verb

  1. to put into spoken words; utter
  2. to use in speaking to talk Spanish, to talk slang
    1. to speak about; discuss to talk sports
    2. Informal to speak of (something impressive, remarkable, expensive, etc.): usually in prp. we're talking high prices
  4. to put into a specified condition, state of mind, etc. by talking to talk oneself hoarse

noun

    1. the act of talking; speech
    2. conversation, esp. of an informal nature
  2. a speech, esp. a somewhat informal one
  3. a formal discussion; conference
  4. rumor; gossip
  5. the subject of conversation, gossip, etc.
  6. empty or frivolous remarks, discussion, or conversation
  7. a particular kind of speech; dialect; lingo
  8. sounds, as by an animal, suggestive of speech

talk Related Forms

talk′er noun

talk Idioms

big talk

Slang bragging or boasting talk

have a talk with

to admonish or caution

make talk

  1. to talk idly, as in an effort to pass time
  2. to cause gossip

talk around

to talk (a person) over; persuade

talk at

to speak to in a way that indicates a response is not really desired

talk away

  1. to pass (a period of time) by talking
  2. to talk continuously; chatter

talk back

☆

to answer impertinently or rudely

talk big

Slang to boast; brag

talk down

  1. to silence by talking louder, longer, or more effectively than
  2. to aid (a pilot) in landing by giving spoken instructions

talk down to

to talk in a patronizing way to, as by using pointedly simple speech

talk into

to persuade (someone) to do something

talk out

to discuss (a problem, etc.) at length in an effort to reach an understanding

talk out of

to dissuade (someone) from doing something

talk over

  1. to have a conversation about; discuss
  2. to win (a person) over to one's view by talking; persuade

talk someone's arm off

or talk someone's ear off or talk someone's leg off

Slang to talk to someone at great length or without pause

talk up

  1. ☆ to promote or praise in discussion
  2. to speak loudly and clearly
  3. ☆ to speak boldly, frankly, etc.

talk Synonyms

talk

n.

  1. Human speech

    utterance, locution, parlance; see communication 1, speech 2.

  2. A conference

    symposium, parley, consultation; see conversation, discussion 1.

  3. An address

    lecture, oration, sermon; see speech 3.

  4. Gossip

    report, hearsay, tittle-tattle; see gossip 1, rumor 1.

  5. Nonsense

    bombast, twaddle, cant, banter, persiflage, noise, palaver, badinage, racket, rubbish, rot, jive*, trash*, flapdoodle*, raillery*, bunk*, fudge*; see also jargon 3, nonsense 1. See syn. study at speech.

big talk*

bragging, boasting, lying; see exaggeration 1.

make talk*

chat, converse, gossip; see talk 1.

talk Synonyms

talk

v.

  1. To converse

    discuss, confer, chat, interview, speak, communicate, dialogue, engage in a dialogue, have a conversation, have a meeting of the minds, chatter, gossip, remark, be on the phone with, be in contact with, talk over, reason with, visit with, parley, commune with, read, hold a discussion, confide in, argue, observe, notice, inform, rehearse, debate, have an exchange, exchange opinions, have a conference with, pop off*, talk away*, go on*, gab*, chew the rag*, chew the fat*, compare notes with*, talk an arm off of*, talk a leg off of*, go over*, pipe up*, shoot off one's mouth*, spit out*, shoot the breeze*, shoot the bull*, pass the time of day*, be closeted with*.

    Antonyms hush*, be silent, be still.

  2. To lecture

    speak, give a talk, deliver a speech; see address 2, lecture.

  3. *To inform

    reveal, divulge, sing*; see notify 1, tell 1.

  4. *To persuade

    induce, sway, count; see influence, persuade 1.

  5. To utter

    pronounce, express, speak; see utter. See syn. study at speak.

talk Usage Examples

Object

  • dictionary: This is the first handheld talking electronic dictionary offering a video-based English learning course with color multimedia ever!
  • newspaper: Tracy's garden for National Talking Newspapers was a delight.

Converse of object

  • illustrate: The Society runs a series of illustrated talks on a wide variety of subjects during the winter season.
  • give: Gives talks on local subjects - see web site.
  • hold: The two men held talks in the US on Friday over the Middle East crisis.
  • hear: When I was 30 I heard a talk on the theory of reincarnation.
  • attend: All boys at the School, Old Hamptonians, staff, parents and members of the public are welcome to attend Talk!

Adjective modifier

  • introductory: Introductory talk presented at the DIS98 Workshop, Brussels, April 1998.
  • informative: Janine gave a very entertaining and informative talk on her long-term study on bone metastases.
  • informal: Careers Talks A variety of informal careers talks are organized by careers advisers, to give a broad overview of different occupational areas.
  • exploratory: Using computers to help coach exploratory talk across the curriculum.
  • entertaining: This will be a lively and entertaining talk by a world expert on the subject.
  • tough: For too long the trade unions have bowed down before the tough talk of free market Tories and New Labor.

Adjective complement

  • tough: Gordon Brown started talking tough this week about standing up to the unions over pensions.
  • dirty: To talk dirty, however, you'll need to consult The Alternative Dictionaries.

Followed by an intransitive particle

through: Theyâll then talk through with you the best options available and make the various calculations to evaluate them.

Noun used with modifier

  • peace: In Nepal, women who were victims of violence are seeking representation in peace talks between the government and Maoist rebels.
  • merger: With that in mind, some in the British media have been speculating that Warner EMI merger talks are not far away.
  • pre-concert: Our free pre-concert talks offer a fascinating insight into the music you are about to experience.
  • trade: They also must demonstrate a far greater sense of ambition, urgency and focus on Africa in world trade talks.

Browse dictionary entries near talk

  1. ‹ talisman
  2. ‹ talipot
  3. ‹ talipes
  4. ‹ taliped
  5. ‹ talion
  6. ‹ Talien
  7. ‹ Taliban
  8. ‹ tali
  9. ‹ taleteller
  10. ‹ talesman
  1. talk about ›
  2. talk back ›
  3. talk battery ›
  4. talk big ›
  5. talk business ›
  6. talk down to ›
  7. talk into ›
  8. talk over ›
  9. talk path ›
  10. talk radio ›