conversation

noun

con·​ver·​sa·​tion ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shən 

1

a(1)

: oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas

… we had talk enough but no conversation; there was nothing discussed.

—Samuel Johnson

(2)

: an instance of such exchange : talk

a quiet conversation

b

: an informal discussion of an issue by representatives of governments, institutions, or groups

conversations among the senators

c

: an exchange similar to conversation

We had a conversation by email.

2

obsolete : conduct, behavior

conversational

ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

conversationally adverb

Synonyms

• chat
• colloquy
• converse
• dialogue
• dialog
• discourse
• discussion
• exchange

Examples of conversation in a Sentence

Do you remember our conversation about that new movie?

We got into a long conversation about his behavior.

They were engaged in a lengthy conversation about politics.

The topic came up in conversation.

They were so deep in conversation that they barely noticed me.

He kept trying to engage me in conversation.

She's skilled in the art of conversation.

an interesting topic of conversation

We had a conversation by e-mail.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the conversation about Bitcoin’s role in national financial strategy has just begun. —Becca Bratcher, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025

The potential 2025 mayoral candidate, a Democrat who represents District 2 on the City Council and formerly served in the North Carolina Senate, also lays out a strategy for how to advance national conversations about race and violence. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2025

But in a conversation at MWC Wednesday afternoon, Skylo CEO Parthsarthi Trivedi charted a path to deliver not just texts but calls and a moderate amount of data from that far-off perch in space. —Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025

That certain gown and tuxedo details became popular social-media conversations? —Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conversacioun, from Anglo-French conversacion, from Latin conversation-, conversatio, from conversari to associate with, frequentative of convertere to turn around

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing conversation

• carry on a conversation
• conversation piece
• criminal conversation
• hold a quiet conversation
• make conversation
• strike up a conversation

Rhymes for conversation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

conversation

noun

con·​ver·​sa·​tion ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shən 

: talking or a talk between two or more people

conversational

-ˈsā-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

conversationally

-ē

adverb