parley

verb par·ley \ ˈpär-lē \

Definition of parley

parleyed; parleying

intransitive verb

: to speak with another : confer; specifically : to discuss terms with an enemy

The government refused to parley with the rebels.

See parley defined for English-language learners

See parley defined for kids

Examples of parley in a Sentence

in an effort to win the goodwill of the locals, the developers parleyed with them before finalizing plans for the massive mall

Origin and Etymology of parley

see ²parley

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1576

See Words from the same year

parley Synonyms

Synonyms

advise, confab, confabulate, confer, consult, counsel, powwow, treat;

rehash;

coach, guide, tutor;

recommend, suggest;

direct, refer (to);

parley

noun

Definition of parley

plural parleys

1 a : a conference for discussion of points in dispute

b : a conference with an enemy

2 : discussion

Examples of parley in a Sentence

held a parley to debate the proposed change in the town's zoning laws
can we meet for an informal parley to see if we can effect a compromise?

Recent Examples of parley from the Web

The adversaries conduct a formal parley, like buccaneers, declare mutual war and everyone has a fabulous time.

— meghan cox gurdon, WSJ, "The Book Your Kids Should Read This Summer," 14 July 2017
His months of reporting in Mali allow him to reconstruct vivid scenes, such as that of a night parley between a Timbuktu militia and the rebel command on a rug set before a corral of 4x4 vehicles in which the only light came from cigarettes.

— tom zoellner, New York Times, "How a Band of Conspirators Saved Timbuktu’s Treasured Manuscripts From Al Qaeda’s Torch," 2 June 2017
That's probably what Bezos was trying to tell us during that journalistic parley around the turn of the century.

— robert reed, chicagotribune.com, "Did you hear? Amazon is a local, global game-changer," 16 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of parley

Middle English parlai speech, probably from Middle French parlee, from feminine of parlé, past participle of parler to speak, from Medieval Latin parabolare, from Late Latin parabola speech, parable — more at parable

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1580

See Words from the same year