conversationcon‧ver‧sa‧tion /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən $ ˌkɑːnvər-/ ●●● S1 W2 noun 
a telephone conversation Children quickly get bored by adult conversation.conversation with a short conversation with the teacherconversation about a conversation about family and friends They had a short conversation in German and seemed to be disagreeing about something. It’s impossible to carry on a conversation with all this noise in the background. ‘Did you have a good journey?’ he said, trying to make conversation. He was silent, no matter how hard Sofia tried to engage him in conversation. After a while, the conversation turned to a friend’s coming wedding. They were deep in conversation, relaxed and smiling. He could hear snatches of conversation from across the room.THESAURUSconversation noun [countable, uncountable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts: · I was having a conversation with a friend the other day.· Conversation wasn’t easy because of all the noise.· He overheard our conversation about the children.discussion noun [countable, uncountable] a conversation about something important: · There was a lot of discussion about where the money was going to come from.· The two companies have been having discussions about a possible takeover.talk noun [countable] a long conversation, especially about a problem or about what you plan to do: · We had a long talk about our relationship.chat noun [countable] especially British English an informal friendly conversation: · I’ve just had a chat with Vinnie.natter noun [singular] British English informal a conversation with a friend about unimportant things: · Mary and Jean were having a cup of tea and a natter.gossip noun [singular, uncountable] conversations in which people talk about things they have heard, especially about other people’s private lives, which may well not be true: · She always enjoyed going to friends’ houses and having a gossip.· It’s all just gossip.small talk noun [uncountable] polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects, especially when you do not know someone very well and feel a little nervous: · We stood around making small talk about the weather.banter noun [uncountable] friendly conversation in which people joke with each other and gently make fun of each other: · She enjoyed the friendly banter with her colleagues at the office.
WORD ORIGINconversation
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French, Latin conversatio, from conversari; ➔ CONVERSE1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a telephone conversation
- Baker's resignation became a hot topic of conversation around the office.
- Every time his father's name came up in conversation, Tom became nervous.
- I was too shy to start a conversation with anyone there.
- Martha's a fascinating woman. I really enjoyed our conversation.
- The buzz of conversation filled the hall.
- The noise of the traffic made conversation almost impossible.
- They didn't realize someone was taping their telephone conversation.
- Vicky was having a long conversation with the bartender.
- Clinton went on to quote it again during the State of the Union and in other public remarks or private conversations.
- Cooley presents a report of conversation with a former and a description of social conventions.
- Once my status is ascertained, the conversation quickly reverts to repartee.
- She did not wish to be having this conversation.
- She said Gloria was always trying to bust up their conversations.
- She shivered and watched Mrs Frizzell apprehensively as the buzz of conversation continued.
- The prototype of reciprocal discourse is face-to-face conversation.
THESAURUS
noun [countable, uncountable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts: · I was having a conversation with a friend the other day.· Conversation wasn’t easy because of all the noise.· He overheard our conversation about the children.
noun [countable, uncountable] a conversation about something important: · There was a lot of discussion about where the money was going to come from.· The two companies have been having discussions about a possible takeover.
noun [countable] a long conversation, especially about a problem or about what you plan to do: · We had a long talk about our relationship.
noun [countable] especially British English an informal friendly conversation: · I’ve just had a chat with Vinnie.
noun [singular] British English informal a conversation with a friend about unimportant things: · Mary and Jean were having a cup of tea and a natter.
noun [singular, uncountable] conversations in which people talk about things they have heard, especially about other people’s private lives, which may well not be true: · She always enjoyed going to friends’ houses and having a gossip.· It’s all just gossip.
noun [uncountable] polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects, especially when you do not know someone very well and feel a little nervous: · We stood around making small talk about the weather.
noun [uncountable] friendly conversation in which people joke with each other and gently make fun of each other: · She enjoyed the friendly banter with her colleagues at the office.
Longman Language Activatora conversation when people talk to each other, especially in an informal situation: · Martha's a fascinating woman. I really enjoyed our conversation.· The noise of the traffic made conversation almost impossible.· They didn't realize someone was taping their telephone conversation.conversation with: · I was too shy to start a conversation with anyone there.have a conversation: · Vicky was having a long conversation with the bartender.topic of conversation: · Baker's resignation became a hot topic of conversation around the office.come up in conversation (=be mentioned as part of the conversation): · Every time his father's name came up in conversation, Tom became nervous.
especially British an informal, friendly conversation: · He didn't want anything in particular. He just stopped for a chat.· Mary took Tina in the other room for a private chat.have a chat: · I'm actually glad you're late - it gave Ken and me a chance to have a good chat.
the kind of conversation in which people talk about unimportant things in order to be polite or to avoid serious subjects: · Most of what gets said at parties is just small talk.make small talk: · Heath doesn't waste time making small talk - he comes straight to the point.
to talk to someone to say something to someone, or have a conversation: · We sat around talking for hours.· two friends talking on the phonetalk about: · They talked about their favourite pop stars.talk to: · Danny was talking to a girl he'd just met at the bar.· It's been nice talking to you.talk with somebody American: · I left Mario talking with my mother.
to talk to someone. Speak is more formal than talk: · The brothers haven't spoken since the funeral.speak to: · There's a man from the Times on the phone who wants to speak to you.· I spoke to a few people at the party who knew him.
· Did you say something? Sorry - I wasn't listening.· No one said anything.· The older woman said something in Spanish.say something about · I can remember him saying something about his mother being ill.say something to · Pradeep could hear her saying something to the nurse.
especially British to talk in a friendly and informal way, especially about things that are not very important: · The girls were sitting on the steps, chatting.chat about: · We drank our coffee and chatted about our experiences.chat with/to: · Harry chatted to a couple of Australian tourists as we waited for the show to begin.
to talk to someone for a period of time: · Could we just sit down and have a normal conversation without shouting?have a conversation about: · We were sitting around the kitchen table having a conversation about food and restaurants.
to be having a conversation, especially one that takes all your attention: be in conversation with: · When I arrived, Diana was already in animated conversation with Mr Summers.be deep in conversation (=so that you do not notice what is happening around you): · The two men were deep in conversation as they walked up the path.
to make an effort to have a conversation with someone, just in order to seem friendly or polite: · I tried to make small talk, but Darden wasn't interested.· "Why did you tell her that?" "I was just making conversation."make polite conversation: · Sheila was sitting next to the boss's wife and felt obliged to make polite conversation.
American informal to talk in a relaxed way to someone you know well: · Mom and Aunt Jo were sitting drinking coffee and visiting.visit with: · I don't see him that often, but I like to go and visit with him when I can.
formal to have a conversation: · We met once and conversed briefly. That was the extent of our acquaintance.converse with: · The conference gave me an opportunity to meet and converse with VIPs in relaxed surroundings.
when people talk to each other using the Internet by typing in what they want to say and having this sent immediately to someone using a computer in a different place: · On-line chat is becoming an increasingly popular way for young people to make new friends.· Log on to live chat this evening and put your questions to your favourite pop stars.
to start a conversation British /get to talking American · The three of us sat down and after a while we got chatting.get talking/chatting to · I hadn't been there long before someone got talking to me and invited me to a party.get talking/chatting about · Somehow we got to talking about television shows from the '70s.
also get into conversation British to start having a conversation with a stranger, often without intending or expecting to: · After a while the two travellers fell into conversation.fall into conversation/strike up a conversation with: · She got into conversation with a woman at the baker's shop.· My Dad's always striking up conversations with other people in the park.
to talk to someone about a problem, plan, or serious subject · I think we need to talk.talk about · If you're having trouble at school, let's sit down and talk about it.talk to · Gerry wants to talk to his girlfriend before he makes a decision.talk with American · It's important to talk with your kids about drugs, alcohol, and sex.
if people discuss a subject or situation, they exchange ideas and opinions about it, so it is easier to make a decision or make plans: · The whole family got together to discuss funeral arrangements.· We never discuss our financial difficulties in front of the children.discuss what/how/where etc: · We need to discuss what kind of food we want at the party.discuss something with somebody: · Don't make any plans yet - I want to discuss this with Jamie first.
also speak with American to talk to someone about something serious or official: · Maybe it's time for you to speak to a lawyer.· The woman had come all the way from Denver to speak with the President.speak to about: · I intend to speak to the manager about the way I have been treated.· Have you spoken with Michael about the scheduling conflict?
to talk to someone seriously about something you have planned to discuss, especially about a problem or future plans: · Don and I had a long talk, and I think we understand each other better now.have a talk about: · I think it's time we had a talk about your future here in the company.have a talk with: · If this behavior continues, I'm going to have to have a little talk with her.· Someone should have a serious talk with Lucy about the amount of alcohol she drinks.
to talk to someone for a period of time about a serious subject: · The two leaders had a brief conversation yesterday.have a conversation with: · I've had conversations with several employers who say there are not enough qualified people to fill the jobs they have.have a conversation about: · We need to have a conversation with our lawyers about the will.
to talk to someone about all the details of a serious problem or difficult situation, in order to understand it better: talk something over: · If you're worried about your work, come and see me and we'll talk it over.talk over something: · I took him out to dinner so we could talk over the problem.talk something over with somebody: · It's often useful to talk things over with a trained counsellor.
to talk to someone quickly, and usually privately, about something serious: · His attitude got so bad his manager was forced to have a word with him.· Jim had a word with Mary, and she took the children out of the room.I'd like (to have) a word with you: · I'd like a word with you in private.
to have a private conversation in which two people both say honestly and sincerely what they feel about something personal: · Don't go in there right now - I think Dean and Carlo are having a heart-to-heart.have a heart-to-heart talk/a heart-to-heart with: · If you think your boss doesn't like you, have a heart-to-heart talk with her.
if two or more people who do the same work talk shop , they have a conversation about their work on a social occasion: · I don't want to go out to dinner with him and his lawyer friends - all they ever do is talk shop.
American informal to talk seriously and honestly about matters that need to be agreed, especially business matters: · OK, enough joking around - let's talk turkey.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY They had a short conversation in German and seemed to be disagreeing about something. It’s impossible to carry on a conversation with all this noise in the background. ‘Did you have a good journey?’ he said, trying to make conversation. He was silent, no matter how hard Sofia tried to engage him in conversation. After a while, the conversation turned to a friend’s coming wedding. They were deep in conversation, relaxed and smiling. He could hear snatches of conversation from across the room.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The performance was followed by an animated discussion. The conversation drifted from one topic to another. Matthews was in earnest conversation with a young girl. Who’s that guy Ally’s been engrossed in conversation with all night? I fell into conversation with some guys from New York. Nora didn’t respond to my attempts to lighten the conversation. While they ate, they made polite conversation about the weather. Jan expressed polite interest in Edward’s stamp collection. Helen tried to steer the conversation away from herself. a stilted conversation
They had a short conversation in German and seemed to be disagreeing about something. It’s impossible to carry on a conversation with all this noise in the background. ‘Did you have a good journey?’ he said, trying to make conversation. He was silent, no matter how hard Sofia tried to engage him in conversation. After a while, the conversation turned to a friend’s coming wedding. They were deep in conversation, relaxed and smiling. He could hear snatches of conversation from across the room. The performance was followed by an animated discussion. The conversation drifted from one topic to another. Matthews was in earnest conversation with a young girl. (=start talking to them)
Who’s that guy Ally’s been engrossed in conversation with all night? I fell into conversation with some guys from New York. Nora didn’t respond to my attempts to lighten the conversation.· Neither man denies the phone conversation took place.
While they ate, they made polite conversation about the weather. Jan expressed polite interest in Edward’s stamp collection.· Let's all calm down and have a rational discussion.
Helen tried to steer the conversation away from herself. a stilted conversation· She searched for a new subject of conversation.
· We had a long telephone conversation.
· Her favourite topic of conversation is herself.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· He knew instinctively that this was no casual conversation and that for Cora-Beth's sake he must be honest.· People in his office view him with respect as some one who is self-contained and does not choose to join in casual conversation.· But the compensations for being unable to read or carry on a casual conversation are overwhelming.· Serious issues have been made into casual conversation.· I'd forgotten how funny it is; from now on I shall be using it in casual conversation more often.· It was into this quiet atmosphere of cigarette smoke and casual conversation that the sudden crackle of Foster's radio transmission sounded.
· Anthea and the professor had been deep in conversation with an eager group of ladies from Leicester, leaving Meryl momentarily alone.· The Count was deep in conversation with the mayor, who was staring down at his feet.· Clarence and the mayor were still deep in conversation.· Ranulf watched Corbett, the lay brother acting as interpreter, in deep conversation with the tavern-keeper.· I found him in his trench enjoying a mug of tea and in deep conversation with a Commando friend of his.· Two colleagues are deep in conversation.
· Herscovici is also thinking of writing a book based on his long conversations with Georgette Magritte.· But after a few minutes the door finally opened, and a long conversation ensued.· Throughout our long conversation his head is constantly in motion, eyes darting to and fro consciously avoiding my gaze.· A long conspiratorial conversation ensues, punctuated by jokes and laughter.· It was obviously going to be a long conversation.· Last night, I had another long conversation with Maryvonne.· They looked as if they had already had a long and intimate conversation together.· Recently I had a long conversation with the credit manager of a department store in Grand Rapids.
· How can human beings in normal conversation makes sense of 5,000 words an hour of confusing, semi-organized information?· No one was talking because the noise of the wind and waves made normal conversation impossible.· Explanations which are produced in normal conversation are likely to have a sharing function.· Casper says they had a perfectly normal conversation.· In the normal course of conversation I wouldn't talk about politics, I'd talk more about shagging.· Her memory is extremely poor and she can not sustain a normal conversation.· Indeed normal conversation in their house was of such pitch and volume that a scream would hardly have been heard.· If you find that you can not hold a normal conversation after exercising, then you are overdoing it. 4.
· This is not the kind of guy who makes polite conversation.· Instead, you exchange polite business conversation, neither of you mentioning your written work.· I decided that I had not come all this way only to indulge in polite conversation.· I wanted live action, not polite conversation and chicken cordon bleu.· He spent a few minutes making polite, nondescript conversation, then he proceeded to devote the remainder of the meal to Alyssia.· Even so, there was not much that could be said, other than polite conversation.· All she'd done was to make a bit of polite conversation!· He would acknowledge the source - he was not a plagiarist - but his polite conversation was, he knew, poor.
· May I ask the House not to indulge in private conversations.· They moved away to have a more private conversation, from which I gathered problems existed.· The telephone was just as it should be, with no bugging device to turn his private conversations into public knowledge.· And there were endless meetings and private conversations and arcane machinations, many never recorded.· The hubbub was so intense that it would be impossible to hold any private conversation.· Clinton went on to quote it again during the State of the Union and in other public remarks or private conversations.· I have had several private conversations with Steve about this.
NOUN· Buckingham Palace holds a secret tape of phone conversations by Diana.· Records of several cellular phone conversations between Ramsey and other individuals confirmed this, Wasserman said.· Fulton recorded a phone conversation with his handler earlier this year.· In a phone conversation with Jackson after the article appeared, Gingrich dissociated himself from Watts' remark, according to Jackson.· Finally Audio notepad will enable the user to recording their phone conversation at the click of a button.· Only then did I acknowledge that she had said something like this in several of our phone conversations.· He recalled another phone conversation with Sandy three weeks earlier.· It is illegal to intentionally intercept phone conversations or knowingly distribute their contents.
· Here a telephone conversation will usually have to suffice.· My sister, my father has told me in a telephone conversation, is returning to the West Coast.· The 1953 Conference Further to our recent telephone conversation I now enclose the 1953 Conference photograph.· He said Nathanson turned him down in a July 1991 telephone conversation and said she would be interested in representing his wife.· My first question is a result of a telephone conversation with Graham Bowie, chief executive of Lothian region.· Our telephone conversations were eavesdropped, letters were posted unsealed and read by censors before going out into the world.· Rain interrupted her telephone conversation to ask to see it.· Our telephone conversations cement our client relationships. 6.
VERB· All of us have our underworld and nether world creatures with whom we carry on some inner conversation.· She remembered giving secret names to things, carrying on conversations with chairs and trees.· She sipped the wine, picked at the first course and let James Hamilton carry the conversation.· He would talk to him in his imagination, carrying on whole conversations about baseball and school and girls.· Midge and Angela, close together in the back, were carrying on their own conversation.· Have you ever carried on a conversation with some one who has been smoking and drinking?· Others achieved considerable proficiency and could carry on extended conversations.
· When the pubs opened at five-thirty they went up the road to the Prince Albert and continued their conversation.· So eventually they went downstairs to the parlor and continued the conversation there.· They had continued their conversation after dinner, sitting in the comfortable bar.· Hope and I continued our conversation a few weeks later, this time at his terraced house in Stoke Newington.· I was thrilled at the prospect of continuing the conversation.· The threat of the lawsuit continues to drive the conversation.
· Carlson didn't feel that this was the best way to end a conversation.· They hurried to end any conversation and get on their way.· Isabel turned, wanting to end the conversation.· That ended our conversation, and a pall fell on our relationship after that.· William No, stop-we can't end the conversation there.
· In the office, some girls have engaged the secretary in conversation.· They do not engage in conversation, nor do their faces express a desire to.· Fingers subconsciously searching out damage beneath the glossy surface, while he otherwise engages in conversation.· I was in terror that he might try to engage me in conversation.· He'd got engaged in a conversation with Morag and was taking his time, but who could blame him?· Imagine that you could engage in a conversation with the political gladiator, contemporary or historical, who most fascinates you.· For a moment or two Joan and Atkins were engaged in a separate conversation from the rest of the group.· Through the all-night watches he engaged officers in conversation, asked them questions about world affairs.
· I had only half heard the conversation because part of my mind was far away.· I could hear muffled conversation in the background.· Carl had heard half of the conversation.· She says she usually gets so engrossed that she doesn't hear conversations anywhere near her.· You can hear their conversation if you like.· He spoke so that you could not avoid hearing his conversation.· You need to hear the conversation in your mind.
· She's getting better at speech now, and hold a conversation, but she doesn't understand some things.· Wynns held a colorful conversation with Sierra Club representative Howard Strassner to see if they could find middle ground.· In any case, she couldn't have held a conversation there.· If you tried at all to hold a conversation with her, you found she was almost impossible to understand.· He can recite the alphabet and hold an intelligent conversation.· If you can not hold a conversation with some one without getting out of breath then you are going too fast.· For the first time ever, he felt that he had held an adult conversation with his son.· He just wouldn't hold a conversation with him.
· So Renwick kept the conversation innocuous, nothing to stir up any more tension in Moore.· I told him I thought it would be prudent for both of us to keep our conversation between ourselves.· Newman had kept the conversation general, fending Evelyn off when she tried to bring it on a more personal basis.· I asked Fontaine to keep our conversation completely confidential.· Anything to keep the conversation simple and unthreatening.· It's like two people trying to keep up a conversation.· Cara kept up a one-sided conversation.· Okay - we both want to keep the conversation in neutral.
· Four Galks stood listening to the conversation.· I was certain that all the writers were listening to my conversation and were amused by it.· Molassi had listened to the conversation between the clever boy and the pretty lady.· Day after day, skilled linguists don headsets and listen to the stolen conversations of foreign leaders in more than 100 languages.· I can also listen to a conversation between mining engineers and understand ninety-five percent of it, even after all these years.· I melted into the wall and listened to snatches of conversation.· Also, listening to people's conversations can be very enlightening and suggestive of ideas.· I was listening to a conversation that had been going on for generations.
· Some one could follow you home after overhearing your conversation.· I think I must have overheard telephone conversations about Margarett getting drunk and late-night parties at Prides.· Rostov wondered if the Manchu had overheard the conversation, but he gave no sign.· Hansel overheard the conversation and prepared for the inevitable by filling his pockets with pebbles.· I overheard his name in conversation.· People overhear conversations, what people have bought, what money they have.· The man claims he overheard cockpit conversation about mechanical problems, not paperwork.
· But a tape, on which she recorded a conversation she had with Maurice a few weeks before her death.· They often record the conversation and claim the recording is proof the deal is legitimate.· Harvard responded by installing tapes to record all telephone conversations.· That yielded, among other things, 50 hours of recorded conversation with Ames.· He'd recorded a telephone conversation - a call he'd taken at home.· They can zero in on this big wall map and pick any phone they want, and record the conversation.· Fulton recorded a phone conversation with his handler earlier this year.· I had the oddest feeling that he wanted to record our conversation.
· But is it really possible for researchers to remember details of conversations as they claim to do?· Dan and his brothers remembered that conversation on the porch.· Many researchers are surprised and delighted at their ability to remember conversations almost word for word.· Truitte remembered the conversation as lasting about seven minutes, a quick, relatively cool severance of an eight-year relationship.· I remember two conversations I had with him during that first day's play.· Vaguely she remembered a conversation she and Susan had had on Christmas Eve.· She remembered now the conversation she had had with Bella about the Lock.· But then I remembered a conversation I had overheard her having with her sister-in-law.
· She wished she hadn't started the conversation.· The only way to act over this is to start a conversation with that person.· We start with safe conversation and straight faces.· The guy was oddly fascinated with Primo and kept trying to start a conversation.· After I got started and into the conversation I felt a lot more comfortable.· He starts a conversation and ends up heaven knows where.· They tried to start a conversation, but it wasn't easy to make themselves heard above the music and chatter.· We were being very careful not to start a conversation with any feeling in it.
· Whenever this happens, the onus is on you to control the call and steer the conversation to a successful conclusion.· Gordon finally roused himself and tried to steer the conversation toward shallower waters.· Charles consumed most of the Valpolicella and tried to steer the conversation away from anything to do with Marius Steen.· Maybe he was just trying to steer the conversation away from Theresa.· Over breakfast Rain would steer the conversation around to asking Tim what he was arguing about with Sabine Jourdain.· Then we were supposed to steer the conversation to a safer topic.· Tonight, however, she was keen to steer the conversation round to the subject of Hugh Puddephat.
· He struck up a conversation, first asking his name.· Demonstrators will attempt to surround the police, strike up conversations and present them with letters.· I recalled he had struck up an intimate conversation with her in the lobby after breakfast.· Others prefer to strike up a conversation with table mates.· Besides, Anna had struck up a conversation with a young girl who'd been swimming in the pool.· I was clueless, of course, but it was an opportunity to strike up an amusing conversation.· However, on striking up a conversation, Chalk, a little the worse for drink, became talkative and boastful.· I, of course, had no choice but to strike up a conversation with the girl who sat next to me.
· Even then they will have no evidence - unless perhaps they tape all conversations with their dealers, for themselves.· Later, Fornek reported on his efforts to question Gingrich about the taped conversation that was picked up on a police scanner.· A bodyguard taped their conversations, escaped abroad, then leaked excerpts to the opposition.· Two days later, the taped conversation was in the papers.· It is not known who taped the conversation or how.· John and Alice Martin said in a news conference Monday that they had taped the conversation and given the tape to McDermott.· Jim McDermott, D-Wash., after he was implicated in the leaking of a taped telephone conversation, Rep.· Taken together, the taped conversations reveal a president seemingly consumed with the details of illegal plots against his enemies.
· When he came back on deck she tried once more to make conversation.· Gordon finally roused himself and tried to steer the conversation toward shallower waters.· But I don't like going to posh functions, trying to make conversation with silly people who have nothing to say.· Maybe he was just trying to steer the conversation away from Theresa.· He stank, kept trying to make slurred conversation, then fell asleep with his head on my shoulder.· The guy was oddly fascinated with Primo and kept trying to start a conversation.· Fred had tried to relate the conversation to Louise and Riley as he had heard it.· Is that what you do when some one tries to have a conversation with you.
· The telephone was just as it should be, with no bugging device to turn his private conversations into public knowledge.· I am upset that these pointless matters turn our conversations negative.· I often turn a conversation around to my interests. 12.· But turn the conversation to education and all bets are off.· How was he going to turn the conversation round to the subject of poison?· But he turned the conversation to the actual sum they had amassed.· When the impetuous wealthy young man rushed up to him, he turned the conversation to the subject of money.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a snatch of conversation/music/song etc
[countable, uncountable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts: - With the rector, however, Arthur still can not bring the conversation around to the confession he once planned to make.
- Anthea and the professor had been deep in conversation with an eager group of ladies from Leicester, leaving Meryl momentarily alone.
- Clarence and the mayor were still deep in conversation.
- He was deep in conversation with the daughter of the house, a little girl of about twelve.
- The boy-him, he had to remind himself-looked deep in thought.
- The Count was deep in conversation with the mayor, who was staring down at his feet.
- Aileen knew how to hold a conversation with twelve people and work hard at the same time.
- He just wouldn't hold a conversation with him.
- If you can not hold a conversation with some one without getting out of breath then you are going too fast.
- If you tried at all to hold a conversation with her, you found she was almost impossible to understand.
- In any case, she couldn't have held a conversation there.
- She's getting better at speech now, and hold a conversation, but she doesn't understand some things.
- This involved being around, or hanging around, just watching, recording, holding conversations.
- What she did increasingly was to hold conversations with ha father from which Cara was carefully and deliberately excluded.
- At that time Worsley, who is married to Moody, had also struck up a friendship with Nance.
- Besides, Anna had struck up a conversation with a young girl who'd been swimming in the pool.
- Demonstrators will attempt to surround the police, strike up conversations and present them with letters.
- Eleanor wrote back wittily and they struck up a friendship.
- He struck up a conversation, first asking his name.
- He and Matthew struck up a friendship - they had something in common; their attitude to life.
- Others prefer to strike up a conversation with table mates.
- Peggy and James strike up a friendship.
a telephone conversation Children quickly get bored by adult conversation.conversation with a short conversation with the teacherconversation about a conversation about family and friends They had a short conversation in German and seemed to be disagreeing about something. It’s impossible to carry on a conversation with all this noise in the background. ‘Did you have a good journey?’ he said, trying to make conversation. He was silent, no matter how hard Sofia tried to engage him in conversation. After a while, the conversation turned to a friend’s coming wedding. They were deep in conversation, relaxed and smiling. He could hear snatches of conversation from across the room.THESAURUSconversation noun [countable, uncountable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts: · I was having a conversation with a friend the other day.· Conversation wasn’t easy because of all the noise.· He overheard our conversation about the children.discussion noun [countable, uncountable] a conversation about something important: · There was a lot of discussion about where the money was going to come from.· The two companies have been having discussions about a possible takeover.talk noun [countable] a long conversation, especially about a problem or about what you plan to do: · We had a long talk about our relationship.chat noun [countable] especially British English an informal friendly conversation: · I’ve just had a chat with Vinnie.natter noun [singular] British English informal a conversation with a friend about unimportant things: · Mary and Jean were having a cup of tea and a natter.gossip noun [singular, uncountable] conversations in which people talk about things they have heard, especially about other people’s private lives, which may well not be true: · She always enjoyed going to friends’ houses and having a gossip.· It’s all just gossip.small talk noun [uncountable] polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects, especially when you do not know someone very well and feel a little nervous: · We stood around making small talk about the weather.banter noun [uncountable] friendly conversation in which people joke with each other and gently make fun of each other: · She enjoyed the friendly banter with her colleagues at the office.