Definition of talk
intransitive verb
1a : to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken wordsb : 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 : prateb : gossipc : 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
talker
nountalk back
talk sense
talk through one's hat
talk turkey
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Examples of talk in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of talk from the Web
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As Democrats and Republicans in Congress finally begin to talk about potential bipartisan solutions, insurance companies are submitting plans to raise premiums in 2018.
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People are at least talking about bipartisan discussions.
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Scotty and Bret aren’t just talking the talk on this one.
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Amen. Related: Rapper and Singer Lizzo Talks Bodysuits and Body Image:
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But the Yankees pulled out a 16-inning win Saturday, and Sabathia talked Sunday about the toughness of his team's core group.
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Among activities were several set up by Palomar College STEM ambassadors Joe Ayala, Maria Vidaca, and Melvin Mivanda, who talked about fossils and different dinosaurs.
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In fact, the Freemans have been returning to the inn every year for the last three generations—talk about keeping Christmas traditions alive!
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His comments came after weeks of saber-rattling in New Delhi and Beijing, as officials from both sides talk up a potential clash even bloodier than their 1962 war that left thousands dead.
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.
Origin and Etymology of talk
Middle English; akin to Old English talu tale
talk
Definition of talk
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
6 : the topic of interested comment, conversation, or gossip it's the talk of the town
7a : address, lectureb : written analysis or discussion presented in an informal or conversational manner
8 : communicative sounds or signs resembling or functioning as talk bird talk
Examples of talk in a Sentence
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 of talk from the Web
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Coalition talks on a ten-year reconstruction plan, set to begin in Washington on July 10th, might drum up a bit more.
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The Senate still hasn’t voted on ObamaCare reform, U.S. workers are still waiting for tax cuts to drive economic growth and President of the United States Donald Trump is trading insults with the co-hosts of an MSNBC talk show.
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Blue Dot (the name is a reference to a photograph of planet Earth from space and the work of Carl Sagan) also hosts talks by hipster lab rats like scholar Arthur Miller on science and art, and the oceanographer Helen Czerski.
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WASHINGTON — Jared Kushner, the senior adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump, is set to arrive in the Middle East this week for peace talks, a White House official said.
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.
First Known Use of talk
14th century
TALK Defined for English Language Learners
talk
playDefinition of talk for English Language Learners
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: to say words in order to express your thoughts, feelings, opinions, etc., to someone
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: to have a conversation or discussion with someone
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: to have a conversation about (something)
talk
Definition of talk for English Language Learners
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: an occurrence in which one person talks about something with another person : a conversation or discussion
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: the act of talking formally about something before a group of people : a speech or lecture
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: a formal discussion between two or more groups that are trying to reach an agreement about something
TALK Defined for Kids
Definition of talk for Students
talked
;talking
1 : to express in speech : speak You're talking too fast.
2 : to speak about : discuss They're talking business.
3 : to cause or influence with words I talked them into agreeing.
4 : to use a certain language They were talking Spanish.
5 : to exchange ideas by means of spoken words : converse Let's sit and talk.
6 : to pass on information other than by speaking Can you talk with your hands?
7 : 2gossip If you act that way, people will talk.
8 : to reveal secret information Officials forced the spy to talk.
talker
nountalk over
Definition of talk for Students
1 : the act or an instance of speaking with someone We had a talk.
2 : a way of speaking : language
3 : conference
4 : 1rumor Has there been talk of war?
5 : the topic of comment or gossip The President's visit is the talk of the town.
6 : an informal address The coach gave us a talk to raise our spirits.
Learn More about talk
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See words that rhyme with talk Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for talk Spanish Central: Translation of talk Nglish: Translation of talk for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of talk for Arabic speakers
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