talk

verb

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\ ˈtȯk

talked; talking; talks

Definition of talk

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken words

b : to convey information or communicate in any way (as with signs or sounds) can make a trumpet talk make the computer talk to the printer

2 : to use speech : speak

3a : to speak idly : prate

b : gossip

c : to reveal secret or confidential information

4 : to give a talk : lecture

transitive

1 : to deliver or express in speech : utter

2 : to make the subject of conversation or discourse : discuss talk business

3 : to influence, affect, or cause by talking talked them into going

4 : to use (a language) for conversing or communicating : speak

talk back

: to answer impertinently

talk sense

: to voice rational, logical, or sensible thoughts

talk through one's hat

: to voice irrational, illogical, or erroneous ideas

talk turkey

: to speak frankly or bluntly

talk

noun

Definition of talk (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the act or an instance of talking : speech

2 : a way of speaking : language

3 : pointless or fruitless discussion : verbiage

4 : a formal discussion, negotiation, or exchange of views —often used in plural

5a : mention, report

b : rumor, gossip

6 : the topic of interested comment, conversation, or gossip it's the talk of the town

7a : address, lecture

b : written analysis or discussion presented in an informal or conversational manner

8 : communicative sounds or signs resembling or functioning as talk bird talk

Other Words from talk Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about talk

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Examples of talk in a Sentence

Verb She never talks at the meetings. He did most of the talking during dinner. He loves to hear himself talk. I think she's talking a lot of nonsense. I can't talk right now. I'm running late. They were talking in Spanish. We talked on the phone until midnight. Both sides in the dispute are now willing to talk. They are in the conference room talking business. She had laryngitis and couldn't talk. Noun the noted author's talk on the state of the modern novel what good will all this talk do when we need to take action now?

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Marisol, who was 11, responded by refusing to talk. — Washington Post, "The Venezuelan sculptor left the N.Y. art scene after making this enigmatic masterpiece," 14 Apr. 2021 Airing after each Sunday’s new episode on TLC, Bares All feels like an aftershow where old couples comment on current couples and current couples talk about the latest episodes. — Ashley Ray-harris, Vulture, "Which 90 Day Fiancé Spinoffs Are Worth the Subscription?," 13 Apr. 2021 Yulonda Royster placed an arm around the sobbing woman and guided her away to talk in private. — Martin Kuz, The Christian Science Monitor, "No badges. No guns. Can violence interrupters help Minneapolis?," 13 Apr. 2021 Through the end of this month, 10% of sales from Mt. Olive Pickle Shop will support Make-A-Wish Foundation—talk about pickles for a purpose. — Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, "Mt. Olive Pickle Company Debuts Pickle Salsa and Dill Pickle Brine "Juicers"," 13 Apr. 2021 Now that more details have emerged from the investigation, a civil lawsuit also seems likely as Ariel Young still cannot talk, walk or eat and could face medical complications for the rest of her life. — Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, "Opinion: Chiefs must be transparent about Britt Reid as he's charged with DWI in crash that left a child with brain injuries," 13 Apr. 2021 Some companies, Sheikh says, may want to embed Space on their websites so that there’s an easy way for visitors to talk to a sales or customer support specialist. — BostonGlobe.com, "An ear for ‘social audio’," 7 Apr. 2021 Marchbanks will be in Sharonville on Tuesday to talk about local projects, including the construction on Interstate 75. — Hannah K. Sparling, The Enquirer, "Ohio plans $2B in infrastructure investments; officials to discuss local projects today," 6 Apr. 2021 On Monday morning, Sewell was back at Christ Health Center to talk about good news. — al, "U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell visits Woodlawn clinic that’s getting $5 million," 5 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun And all the presidential talk is likely to fire up DeSantis' rivals. — David Jackson, USA Today, "Ron DeSantis might already be running for president. Donald Trump could help – and hurt – his plans," 13 Apr. 2021 For all the talk about being tough on Big Tech, most policymakers avoid basic, economic solutions like making Big Tech pay for its use of resources. — Roslyn Layton, Forbes, "Biden’s $100B Broadband Plan Gives Big Tech A Free Ride," 12 Apr. 2021 With all this talk about sandwiches, T+L had to ask the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives host/chef/restaurateur where to find the best, under-the-radar places across the country to get some delicious food. — Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, "Guy Fieri on How to Make a Next-level Grilled Cheese Sandwich and the State of America’s Food Scene," 12 Apr. 2021 The Miami Heat hear all the talk about the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks being the teams most likely to emerge from the East. — Larry Starks, USA TODAY, "Pelicans' Zion Williamson, who is 6-foot-7, says playing point guard 'feels natural'," 12 Apr. 2021 But, for all the talk of labor and construction, the participants get caught up in airy debates and abstract statements that might baffle the uninitiated visitor. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, "MoMA’s First Show on Race and Architecture Chooses Lofty Ideas Over Pragmatism," 2 Apr. 2021 For all the talk of tough decisions to make with their starting rotation and the composition of the Orioles’ pitching staff, the decisions aren’t actually going to be difficult ones in many cases. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "The Orioles enter the last week of spring training with ‘a lot of question marks.’ How can they resolve them? | ANALYSIS," 22 Mar. 2021 All the talk of reopening doesn’t have everyone rushing out to buy tickets — not yet at least. — Christopher Knight Art Critic, Los Angeles Times, "Essential Arts: Why Palm Springs’ Monroe sculpture is a #MeToo Marilyn," 20 Mar. 2021 The strongman thesis did register a shift on the right, which had been gestating since the Presidency of George W. Bush but which got obscured by all the talk of fascism and right-wing populism. — Corey Robin, The New Yorker, "Trump and the Trapped Country," 13 Mar. 2021

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