double-talk

noun

dou·​ble-talk ˈdə-bəl-ˌtȯk How to pronounce double-talk (audio)
1
: language that appears to be earnest and meaningful but in fact is a mixture of sense and nonsense
2
: inflated, involved, and often deliberately ambiguous language
double-talk intransitive verb
double-talker noun

Examples of double-talk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web If his pre-prison projects were almost entirely freestyled, these songs are more tightly written, honoring the fallen, indicting the double-talk of the industry, powered by the energy of a bowstring being pulled back for a half-decade. Jeff Weiss, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'double-talk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of double-talk was in 1936

Dictionary Entries Near double-talk

Cite this Entry

“Double-talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double-talk. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

double-talk

noun
dou·​ble-talk
ˈdəb-əl-ˌtȯk
1
: language that seems to make sense but is actually a mixture of sense and nonsense : gibberish
2
: language that is purposely ambiguous

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