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-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

conversationally adverb

Synonyms

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

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

With substance abuse, for example, it's done simultaneously—social workers in the streets having conversations with those people. —Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Following the release of their new song, Latto and Ice appeared on popular streamer Kai Cenat's livestream to promoter their music and exchange candid conversations with each other and fans. —Caché McClay, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025

Jesus answers the questions in Portuguese, via a translator, but his English is strong enough to understand what is being asked and to hold a conversation. —Paul Taylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

Rice steps up for statewide commemoration Eric George, a deputy athletic director at Rice University, started a conversation about doing something to recognize the flood victims. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025

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