conversation
Americannoun
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informal interchange of thoughts, information, etc., by spoken words; oral communication between persons; talk.
how to master the art of conversation.
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such interchange by sign language, email, or other nonoral means of communication.
I enjoy our time on the phone, but she prefers conversation by texting.
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an instance of this.
I had a long phone conversation with my cousin in Florida.
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an informal public exchange of ideas or opinions about a particular issue; a dialogue.
It’s time for a global conversation about the epidemic.
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association or social intercourse.
a year's conversation with him as his caregiver and friend.
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the ability to talk socially with others.
She writes well but has no conversation.
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Obsolete.
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behavior or manner of living.
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close familiarity; intimate acquaintance, as from constant use or study.
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noun
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the interchange through speech of information, ideas, etc; spoken communication
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to talk in an artificial way
More idioms and phrases containing conversation
Other Word Forms
- preconversation noun
Etymology
Origin of conversation
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English conversacio(u)n, from Latin conversātiōn- (stem of conversātiō ) “familiarity, conduct, behavior,” equivalent to conversāt(us), past participle of conversārī “to associate with” + -iōn- noun suffix; converse 1, -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A difficult conversation is easier than a lifetime of loss.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
Much of the conversation has centered on non-traded business development companies—and while the implications for listed BDCs are less clear, these investment funds appear to be under similar stress.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
Whenever someone likes to claim that the moon landing was faked — a fairly tedious conversation, even as conspiracy theories go — my general response is to ask, “OK, which one?”
From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026
Saying that he had been "following the conversation" around his appearance, West said he "would be grateful" to meet members of the Jewish community, "to listen".
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
“Well! Janet, you and I have a little more chatting to do, but the two of you will have to finish your own conversation at home. It’s time for Maggie to go.”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.