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

The muted aesthetic sparked conversation online, with some social media users noting the irony. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025

Miami needs to keep winning for any of this conversation to keep happening. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Nov. 2025

In an interview Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, he was asked if there are any conversations about extending them, even on a short-term basis, given that insurance costs will more than double if the new year begins without the subsidies. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025

And more of the internet is now hidden behind paywalls or tucked in conversations with AI chatbots. —Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 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