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

West had talked to the coaching staff about the possibility of redshirting, which is typical of freshman linemen who enter a Division I program. — Michelle Gardner, azcentral, "Newcomer Dohnovan West at center of ASU offense," 3 Sep. 2019 Rocky way forward The easiest way to deflect pressure and ensure that Kashmir is a bilateral, and not a multilateral, issue is to talk to Pakistan, the very thing that Rawalpindi has sought, and New Delhi avoided, for so long. — Johann Chacko, Quartz India, "Like Pakistan, India may soon face the catastrophic costs of steroid-driven nationalism," 3 Sep. 2019 Model, actor and author Liris Crosse along with Indya Moore sat down at Essence Fashion House over the weekend to talk about inclusiveness and compassion in an industry not neccesarily made for them. — James Love, Essence, "Indya Moore And Liris Crosse Talk About Creating A More Inclusive World At Essence Fashion House," 2 Sep. 2019 British film producer John Battsek, here seeking distribution for his documentary, The Australian Dream, approaches lawyer-agent John Sloss to talk deal-making over by the bagels and lox. — Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, "Telluride Diary: High Hopes (and One Eyebrow-Raising Guest) Kick Off Awards Season," 31 Aug. 2019 And then there’s the constant societal pressures: from the black community to protect and provide for family; from everyone else to dress a certain way, to talk a certain way, to do everything possible to not risk seeming aggressive. — San Francisco Chronicle, "Rashad Armstead fills a bag of French fries at his restaurant, Grammie's Down-Home Chicken, in Oakland.," 30 Aug. 2019 My own experience is that the long-term vegans who are close to me try not to talk about their veganism and avoid debating it with almost everyone. — Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, "Is the Future Vegan?," 30 Aug. 2019 Tunsil wanted to talk with reporters after the Dolphins preseason finale Thursday night in New Orleans, but the team advised him to decline comment. — Safid Deen, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Jadeveon Clowney does not want to play for Dolphins. Here’s what it could mean for Laremy Tunsil | Analysis," 30 Aug. 2019 That got the attention of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles, who went to the Maricopa County Jail to talk to the informant. — AZCentral.com, "Don Bolles files: The case of Skippy Brazil, the drug informant who was set on fire," 28 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Susan O’Brien, a spokeswoman for Franchot, said the comptroller’s staff is in talks with the governor’s staff and the treasurer’s staff about how to move forward. — Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, "Hogan: Judges should decide how much to pay 5 wrongly incarcerated men," 4 Sep. 2019 Grande and her team were in talks with Forever 21 and Riley Rose from late 2018 to early 2019, but the endorsement deal was never finalized, according to the suit. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Ariana Grande suing Forever 21 for $10 million for using look-alike model and copying music video," 4 Sep. 2019 Johnson also claimed to have made progress in talks with EU leaders, although his own Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, on Monday gave a much less rosy assessment of the state of negotiations. — Stephen Castle, BostonGlobe.com, "Johnson loses Brexit vote, as lawmakers rebel," 3 Sep. 2019 According to the outlet, the company hired a team of advisers to help restructure its debt and has been in talks for additional financing, but negotiations with possible lenders have stalled. — Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, "Ariana Grande is suing Forever 21 for $10 million over 'look-alike' ad campaign," 3 Sep. 2019 But where is that money and how much should be fair game in ongoing settlement talks? — Adam Geller, courant.com, "Sackler family’s web makes it hard to track cash from Purdue Pharma," 2 Sep. 2019 The promotion would conclude Lux’s rapid ascendance from 2016 first-round pick to essentially untouchable in trade talks this summer. — Los Angeles Times, "Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen struggle as Dodgers lose third straight," 31 Aug. 2019 Following the judge’s ruling it was reported that Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, was in talks to settle its exposure to 2,500 outstanding opioid lawsuits. — The Economist, "Business this week," 31 Aug. 2019 Messer also appears to be in settlement talks with Matte Productions, which co-produced the documentary Fyre for Netflix with Jerry Media, the company who created Fyre's social media strategy. — Dave Brooks, Billboard, "Fyre Fest Trustee & Paradigm Preparing to Settle, While CAA and Other Agencies Face Lawsuits," 30 Aug. 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.