conversation

1 of 2

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

conversational

2 of 2

adjective

con·​ver·​sa·​tion·​al ¦kän-vər-¦sā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

1

: inclined to converse : fond of or given to conversation

2

: of, for, characteristic of, or suited to conversation or oral communication

written in an easy informal conversational style

a conversational method of teaching by question and answer

conversational talent

conversationally adverb

Synonyms of conversation

Noun

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

Examples of conversation in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

Anthropic said conversations within the Personal Finance hub will not be used to train its models. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026

These conversations often center on weight and appearance, parenting, politics and relationship status. — Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 5 Nov. 2026

The Chiefs entered 2026 hoping to rebound from a 6-11 season and return to the Super Bowl conversation, but their loss to Denver has turned simply winning the division into a dogfight. — Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026

West begins with the script, followed by long conversations about how Villeneuve imagines each character’s psychological development. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Noun

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