conversation

noun con·ver·sa·tion \ ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shən \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: conversation in a Sentence

Definition of conversation

1 obsolete : conduct, behavior

2 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 e-mail.

—

conversational

play \ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

—

conversationally

adverb

See conversation defined for English-language learners

See conversation defined for kids

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 of conversation from the Web

That still hasn’t been long enough for their crew to match conversations about inclusion and equal representation.

— chris gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Women in Film Chief Calls Herself Out on Hiring Women: "We Have So Much Work to Do"," 13 July 2018
There’s a lot to learn from this simple conversation said Jameson O’Donnell, the teaching chef.

— anya van wagtendonk, Philly.com, "For these immigrants, flipping pancakes and learning English go hand-in-hand," 12 July 2018
This is the first in a two-part project that attempts to answer those questions, guided by conversations with Royals officials, rival executives and coverage of the organization from the start of the rise in 2006.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "The State of the Royals, Part 1 of 2: How did they get here?," 12 July 2018
On Friday, the president spoke by phone with McConnell, who told him Hardiman or Kethledge would perhaps be the easiest to confirm, based on McConnell's private conversations with Republican senators about the shortlist.

— author: ashley parker, robert costa, Anchorage Daily News, "‘All a little misdirection’: Inside Trump’s sometimes-wavering decision to nominate Kavanaugh," 11 July 2018
But the nature of that conversation grew out of Alexis' performance of this kind of coiled rage.

— yvonne villarreal, latimes.com, "We talked to 'The Handmaid's Tale' showrunner Bruce Miller about that Season 2 finale," 11 July 2018
If nothing’s coming to you, here are your conversation starters for the weekend.

— ben meyerson, RedEye Chicago, "Jay-Z and Trayvon Martin, Amazon and Toys R Us, and more conversation starters for your weekend," 13 July 2018
The staffer spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.

— CBS News, "Push by liberal Democrats’ to abolish ICE delights GOP," 13 July 2018
The beach is protected from the wind by steep bluffs on each side and by polluters and developers by the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, a San Mateo County-run conversation project.

— SFChronicle.com, "5 hidden beaches around Half Moon Bay," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conversation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of conversation

Middle English conversacioun, from Anglo-French conversacion, from Latin conversation-, conversatio, from conversari to associate with, frequentative of convertere to turn around

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

conversation Synonyms

Synonyms

chat, colloquy, converse, dialogue (also dialog), discourse, discussion, exchange;

conference, parley, powwow;

babble, chatter, chitchat, confabulation, gabfest, gossip, palaver, prate, prattle, rap, small talk, table talk;

round-robin, roundtable, symposium;

debate, deliberation;

CONVERSATION Defined for English Language Learners

conversation

noun

Definition of conversation for English Language Learners

: an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people : the act of talking in an informal way
: something that is similar to a spoken conversation