dialogue

noun

di·a·logue | \ ˈdī-ə-ˌlȯg

, -ˌläg\

variants: or less commonly dialog

Definition of dialogue

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a written composition in which two or more characters are represented as conversing

2a : a conversation between two or more persons also : a similar exchange between a person and something else (such as a computer)

b : an exchange of ideas and opinions organized a series of dialogues on human rights

c : a discussion between representatives of parties to a conflict that is aimed at resolution a constructive dialogue between loggers and environmentalists

3 : the conversational element of literary or dramatic composition very little dialogue in this film writes realistic dialogue

4 : a musical composition for two or more parts suggestive of a conversation

dialogue

verb

dialogued; dialoguing

Definition of dialogue (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to express in dialogue … and dialogued for him what he would say …— Shakespeare

intransitive verb

: to take part in a dialogue managers dialoguing with employees

Synonyms Dialectic: Logic Through Conversation More Example Sentences Learn More about dialogue

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Dialectic: Logic Through Conversation

Dialectic is a term used in philosophy, and the fact that it is closely connected to the ideas of Socrates and Plato is completely logical—even from an etymological point of view. Plato’s famous dialogues frequently presented Socrates playing a leading role, and dialogue comes from the Greek roots dia- (“through” or “across”) and -logue (“discourse” or “talk”). Dialect and dialectic come from dialecktos (“conversation” or “dialect”) and ultimately back to the Greek word dialegesthai, meaning “to converse.”

Conversation or dialogue was indeed at the heart of the “Socratic method,” through which Socrates would ask probing questions which cumulatively revealed his students’ unsupported assumptions and misconceptions. The goal, according to the definition in our Unabridged Dictionary, was to “elicit a clear and consistent expression of something supposed to be implicitly known by all rational beings.”

Other philosophers had specific uses of the term dialectic, including Aristotelianism, Stoicism, Kantianism, Hegelianism, and Marxism. Asking a series of questions was considered by Socrates a method of “giving birth” to the truth, and a related word, maieutic, defined as “relating to or resembling the Socratic method of eliciting new ideas from another,” comes from the Greek word meaning “of midwifery.”

Examples of dialogue in a Sentence

Noun

He is an expert at writing dialogue. There's very little dialogue in the film. The best part of the book is the clever dialogue. Students were asked to read dialogues from the play. The two sides involved in the labor dispute are trying to establish a dialogue. The two parties have been in constant dialogue with each other.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

One of her techniques is almost continuous dialogue, and the Sorensons aren’t typical reticent Midwesterners. — Jane Smiley, Washington Post, "Jane Smiley reviews a novel so intimate and familiar it’s almost as though you’re eavesdropping," 1 July 2019 My stories and novels often have sections of dialogue. — Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, "David Rabe on the Netherworld of Fiction," 1 July 2019 That’s good because this is a dialogue that needs to happen. — Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, "‘San Jose’ song draws rebuke from multicultural arts leaders," 27 June 2019 But the president, as ever, is erratic, toggling between fiery threats and offers of dialogue. — The Economist, "Who is blowing up ships in the Gulf?," 13 June 2019 For My Black Is Beautiful, #RedefineBlack is aimed at driving dialogue with a meaningful change, and the initiative is already making progress. — Jennifer Ford, Essence, "Procter and Gamble's My Black Is Beautiful Platform Launches Initiative To #RedefineBlack," 5 June 2019 The original version of this movie review misattributed a line of dialogue. — The Christian Science Monitor, "Corrections," 4 Mar. 2019 Why watch: The most horrifying thing in Savageland might be the dialogue uttered by some of the white, openly racist side characters who populate its mockumentary pastiche. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "13 found-footage horror movies actually worth watching this Halloween," 19 Oct. 2018 One of the most notable aspects of Telltale’s work is the dialogue. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, "How The Walking Dead studio changed video game storytelling for the better," 24 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But one of the leaders insists that the movement is not opposed to dialogue in principle. — The Economist, "The violent end of Daniel Ortega’s decade of quiet," 26 Apr. 2018 Despite their criticisms, both Tillerson and defense officials have stressed the importance of finding a path to dialogue with Moscow. — Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, "Putin speech adds to freeze in U.S.-Russia relations," 1 Mar. 2018 Swiss Education While South Korea currently bans tourists from traveling north, the thaw over the Olympics brings the countries closer to dialogue on restoring lucrative cross-border tours that once brought Kim’s regime millions of dollars a year. — Bloomberg.com, "Kim Jong Un’s Luxury Ski Resort Steals Olympic Spotlight," 30 Jan. 2018 Maybe the past and present aren’t mutually exclusive, this exhibition suggests, but can dialogue with and inform one another. — OregonLive.com, "Tom Cramer exhibit shows there's plenty new under the sun (review)," 29 Oct. 2017 Knowles sisters Beyoncé and Solange have released solo albums that dialogue with each other obliquely. — Carl Wilson, Slate Magazine, "On Haim’s New Album Something to Tell You, the Band of Sisters Is Better Than Ever," 10 July 2017

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