dialogue

¹di·a·logue

noun \ˈdī-ə-ˌlȯg, -ˌläg\

Definition of DIALOGUE

1

: a written composition in which two or more characters are represented as conversing

2

a : a conversation between two or more persons; also : a similar exchange between a person and something else (as a computer) b : an exchange of ideas and opinions <organized a series of dialogues on human rights> c : a discussion between representatives of parties to a conflict that is aimed at resolution <a constructive dialogue between loggers and environmentalists>

3

: the conversational element of literary or dramatic composition <very little dialogue in this film>

4

: a musical composition for two or more parts suggestive of a conversation

Variants of DIALOGUE

di·a·logue also di·a·log \ˈdī-ə-ˌlȯg, -ˌläg\

Examples of DIALOGUE

1. He is an expert at writing dialogue.
2. There's very little dialogue in the film.
3. The best part of the book is the clever dialogue.
4. Students were asked to read dialogues from the play.
5. The two sides involved in the labor dispute are trying to establish a dialogue.
6. The two parties have been in constant dialogue with each other.

Origin of DIALOGUE

Middle English dialoge, from Anglo-French dialogue, from Latin dialogus, from Greek dialogos, from dialegesthai to converse, from dia- + legein to speak — more at legend

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to DIALOGUE

Synonyms: argument, argumentation, argy-bargy [chiefly British], back-and-forth, colloquy, confab, confabulation, conference, consult, consultation, council, counsel, debate, deliberation, discussion (also dialog), give-and-take, palaver, parley, talk

Related Words: bull session, chat room, forum, meeting, powwow, roundtable, seminar, skull session (also skull practice), symposium, talkathon; chat, conversation, rap, words; discourse, disquisition; bargaining, consultancy, negotiation, pourparler

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

Rhymes with DIALOGUE

analog, analogue, antilog, apologue, catalog, decalogue, demagogue, epilogue, golliwog, homologue, leopard frog, monologue, mummichog, mystagogue, nouvelle vague, pedagogue, pollywog, semilog, sinologue, synagogue, Taganrog, theologue, travelogue, waterlog