talk

verb

\ ˈtȯk

talked; talking; talks

Definition of talk

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

At age 16, authorities say Abdin talked about robbing a gun store to get weapons to kill soldiers. — Fox News, "South Carolina man who tried to fight for ISIS sentenced to 20 years," 12 June 2019 During a Labor Day ride last year in Atlanta with 3,000 cyclists, many from other Major Taylor clubs around the nation, the riders began talking about creating a Louisiana chapter. — Andrea Shaw, nola.com, "New Louisiana cycling club honors black world champion of 1899," 11 June 2019 When scientists talk about recent extinctions, birds and mammals get most of the attention. — Erik Stokstad, Science | AAAS, "Twice as many plants have gone extinct than birds, mammals, and amphibians combined," 10 June 2019 Embry said jiri talked about doing something bold – find a star. — Terry Pluto, cleveland.com, "No longer haunted by 23: Former Cavaliers GM Wayne Embry enjoying NBA Finals with Toronto Raptors – Terry Pluto," 8 June 2019 Morikis talked about putting the teacher on a two-week suspension and possible dismissal, the father said. — Shannon Hall, The Courier-Journal, "An Indiana teacher awards autistic boy with the ‘most annoying male’ trophy for the year," 5 June 2019 The presidential-election cycle has barely begun but one thing is already clear: The Democratic candidates want to talk about student debt. — Adam Harris, The Atlantic, "The Decade That Changed the Student-Debt Debate," 5 June 2019 Tuesday night's three-part Dance Moms premiere had the internet talking. — Mackenzie Dunn, Woman's Day, "Abby Lee Miller Showed Her Scars During the 'Dance Moms' Premiere," 5 June 2019 Several eyewitnesses talked with investigators and gave descriptions of the vehicle and the driver which led to his identification, police said. — Frank Abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "Hit-and-run driver arrested after hitting woman in Round Lake Heights," 4 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers remain engaged in talks with the New Orleans Pelicans on a trade centered around Anthony Davis, according to a report by ESPN. — Andrew Lopez, nola.com, "Celtics, Lakers ‘engaged’ with the Pelicans on trade talks for Anthony Davis: report," 12 June 2019 What follows is a transcript of our talk, edited for clarity and length. — Hannah Fresques, ProPublica, "“Your Default Position Should Be Skepticism” and Other Advice for Data Journalists From Hadley Wickham," 10 June 2019 The message for weeks was that good progress was being made in the talks with China. — Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, "Could a trade war trigger the next recession, and how would that impact Colorado?," 9 June 2019 Executives with United Talent Agency are in talks with reps at Paradigm about a potential acquisition or merger, Billboard has learned. — Dave Brooks, Billboard, "UTA in Talks With Paradigm for Potential Merger," 7 June 2019 Founder hopes to plant more Books and Barbers sites in Cincinnati Vanderpool hopes to expand the business further and is in talks about opening more locations across the country in cities like Atlanta and Knoxville. — Rachel Berry, Cincinnati.com, "Books and Barbers program seeks to provide mentors for children," 7 June 2019 Our talks with China, a lot of interesting things are happening. — Alan Murray, Fortune, "So Much for Fiat Chrysler and Renault: CEO Daily," 6 June 2019 His talk will focus on his 2017 #MeToo reporting for The New Yorker — not only the women who bravely told their stories, but the efforts by those who abused them to thwart Farrow’s work. — Nicole Brodeur, The Seattle Times, "Journalist Ronan Farrow to speak in Seattle about #MeToo’s impact," 3 June 2019

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.