talk

¹talk

verb \ˈtȯk\

Definition of TALK

transitive verb

1

: to deliver or express in speech : utter

2

: to make the subject of conversation or discourse : discuss <talk business>

3

: to influence, affect, or cause by talking <talked them into going>

4

: to use (a language) for conversing or communicating : speak

intransitive verb

1

a : to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken words

b : to convey information or communicate in any way (as with signs or sounds) <can make a trumpet talk> <make the computer talk to the printer>

2

: to use speech : speak

3

a : to speak idly : prate

b : gossip

c : to reveal secret or confidential information

4

: to give a talk : lecture

— talk·er noun

— talk back

: to answer impertinently

— talk sense

: to voice rational, logical, or sensible thoughts

— talk through one's hat

: to voice irrational, illogical, or erroneous ideas

— talk turkey

: to speak frankly or bluntly

Examples of TALK

1. She never talks at the meetings.
2. He did most of the talking during dinner.
3. He loves to hear himself talk.
4. I think she's talking a lot of nonsense.
5. I can't talk right now. I'm running late.
6. They were talking in Spanish.
7. We talked on the phone until midnight.
8. Both sides in the dispute are now willing to talk.
9. They are in the conference room talking business.
10. She had laryngitis and couldn't talk.

Origin of TALK

Middle English; akin to Old English talu tale

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to TALK

Synonyms

declaim, descant, discourse, expatiate, harangue, lecture, orate, speak, hold forth, take the floor

Related Words

recite, soliloquize; dissert, expound, pontificate, sermonize; mouth, spout; filibuster

Near Antonyms

stifle, suppress

Rhymes with TALK

auk, balk, calk, caulk, chalk, gawk, hawk, Koch, Sauk, squawk, stalk, walk

²talk

noun

Definition of TALK

1

: the act or an instance of talking : speech

2

: a way of speaking : language

3

: pointless or fruitless discussion : verbiage

4

: a formal discussion, negotiation, or exchange of views —often used in plural

5

a : mention, report

b : rumor, gossip

6

: the topic of interested comment, conversation, or gossip <it's the talk of the town>

7

a : address, lecture

b : written analysis or discussion presented in an informal or conversational manner

8

: communicative sounds or signs resembling or functioning as talk <bird talk>

Examples of TALK

1. <the noted author's talk on the state of the modern novel>
2. <what good will all this talk do when we need to take action now?>

First Known Use of TALK

14th century

Related to TALK

Synonyms

address, declamation, harangue, oration, peroration, speech

Related Words

diatribe, rant, tirade; eulogy, panegyric, tribute; keynote address (or keynote speech), lecture, salutatory; homily, sermon; monologue (also monolog), soliloquy; pitch, presentation, spiel