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
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
adjective -shə-nᵊl
conversationally adverb
Synonyms
- chat
- colloquy
- converse
- dialogue
- dialog
- discourse
- discussion
- exchange
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web After pulling Tunstall aside, Kelly allegedly opened fire in the middle of their conversation, striking him at least once in the head, according to a police affidavit. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 9 Sep. 2022 The incident that brought Prince Charles closest to utter despair was his secretly wiretapped private conversation with Camilla about wishing to become a Tampax to stay closer to her. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 This film is built around the first of its kind conversation with Sobhraj himself, recorded directly from his jail in total secret for 17 years by the director Jean-Charles Deniau. Trinidad Barleycorn, Variety, 9 Sep. 2022 Our conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Brandon Tensley, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 For more than an hour, Forsell sat in the back of a police car, his conversation captured on video. Ruby Cramer, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 According to the affidavit, Kelly pulled Tunstall to the side and during their conversation drew a handgun and fired several shots. Adrian Sainz, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 In his conversation at the Code Conference, Jassy also addressed the unionization movement currently playing out at the company. Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2022 According to the affidavit, Kelly pulled Tunstall to the side and during their conversation drew a handgun and fired several shots. Adrian Sainz, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 See More
Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 9 Sep. 2022 The incident that brought Prince Charles closest to utter despair was his secretly wiretapped private conversation with Camilla about wishing to become a Tampax to stay closer to her. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 This film is built around the first of its kind conversation with Sobhraj himself, recorded directly from his jail in total secret for 17 years by the director Jean-Charles Deniau. Trinidad Barleycorn, Variety, 9 Sep. 2022 Our conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Brandon Tensley, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 For more than an hour, Forsell sat in the back of a police car, his conversation captured on video. Ruby Cramer, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 According to the affidavit, Kelly pulled Tunstall to the side and during their conversation drew a handgun and fired several shots. Adrian Sainz, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 In his conversation at the Code Conference, Jassy also addressed the unionization movement currently playing out at the company. Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2022 According to the affidavit, Kelly pulled Tunstall to the side and during their conversation drew a handgun and fired several shots. Adrian Sainz, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
conversation
noun
con·ver·sa·tion ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shən
: a talk between two or more people : the act of talking
conversational
adjective
1
as in talkative
fond of talking or conversation the antiques dealer is not the conversational sort, so customers should not expect any impromptu chats Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- talkative
- communicative
- vocal
- chatty
- talky
- loquacious
- outspoken
- gabby
- outgoing
- garrulous
- mouthy
- blabby
- expansive
- motormouthed
- fluent
- articulate
- demonstrative
- rambling
- effusive
- voluble
- gossipy
- glib
- verbose
- gushing
- wordy
- prolix
- free-spoken
- well-spoken
- unreserved
- extroverted
- gregarious
- tale-telling
- long-winded
- sociable
- extraverted
- talebearing
- windy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- laconic
- quiet
- taciturn
- uncommunicative
- reticent
- silent
- reserved
- shy
- closemouthed
- wordless
- mute
- evasive
- speechless
- nonvocal
- tight-lipped
- secretive
- mum
- aloof
- introverted
- withdrawn
- inhibited
- tongue-tied
- indrawn
- unsociable
- retiring
- self-contained
2
as in colloquial
having the style and content of everyday conversation struck a very conversational tone in his reports of his travels through foreign countries Synonyms & Similar Words
- colloquial
- chatty
- informal
- gossipy
- communicative
- casual
- rambling
- newsy
- chattery
- talkative
- familiar
- discursive
- intimate
- dishy
- digressive
- expansive
- tell-all
- garrulous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- literary
- formal
- dignified
- bookish
- solemn
- elevated
- ceremonious
- stately
3
as in vernacular
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing uses conversational language instead of more stilted expressions in her campaign speeches Synonyms & Similar Words
- colloquial
- vernacular
- informal
- slang
- vulgar
- nonformal
- nonliterary
- dialectical
- unliterary
- dialectal
- dialectic
- slangy
- regional
- unbookish
- ungrammatical
- nonstandard
- uneducated
- unlearned
- incorrect
- substandard
- nongrammatical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- literary
- formal
- learned
- standard
- bookish
- grammatical
- proper
- genteel
- correct
- educated
- undialectical
- piezo crystal
- piezo resonator
- piezo-
- piezocrystallization
- piezoelectric
- piezoelectric oscillator
- piezoelectrically
- piezoelectricities
- piezoelectricity
- piezoluminescence
- piezometer
- piezometers
- piezometric
- piezometric surface
- piezometries
- pif paf
- pifero
- piffaro
- Piffer
- pifferari
- piffero
- pifferos
- piffle
- piffled
- piffler