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

(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-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

conversationally adverb

Synonyms of conversation

• discussion
• converse
• exchange
• discourse
• chat
• dialogue

Examples of conversation in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Anderson — who has long cited Fellini as one of his influences — will receive the award on April 21 in Rimini’s Teatro Galli theatre, where the American auteur will hold an onstage conversation with Cineteca di Bologna chief Gianluca Farinelli. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026

Since Porsha has obviously drawn her weapon, Kelli fights back by telling the table about the messy conversation at their tea party. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026

At the time, the Justice Department concluded that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence lacked jurisdiction over allegations involving a president’s private conversations with a fellow head of state. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2026

There’s something off-putting about interacting with someone who’s outsourcing their side of the conversation to an algorithm. —Tessa West, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026

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

• carry on a conversation
• conversation piece
• criminal conversation
• hold a quiet conversation
• make conversation
• strike up a conversation

Rhymes for conversation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

conversation

noun

con·​ver·​sa·​tion ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shən 

: talking or a talk between two or more people

conversational

-ˈsā-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

conversationally

-ē

adverb