conversation

noun

con·​ver·​sa·​tion ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shən 

1

a(1)

: oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas

… we had talk enough but no conversation; there was nothing discussed.

—Samuel Johnson

(2)

: an instance of such exchange : talk

a quiet conversation

b

: an informal discussion of an issue by representatives of governments, institutions, or groups

conversations among the senators

c

: an exchange similar to conversation

We had a conversation by email.

2

obsolete : conduct, behavior

conversational

ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

conversationally adverb

Synonyms

• chat
• colloquy
• converse
• dialogue
• dialog
• discourse
• discussion
• exchange

Examples of conversation in a Sentence

Do you remember our conversation about that new movie?

We got into a long conversation about his behavior.

They were engaged in a lengthy conversation about politics.

The topic came up in conversation.

They were so deep in conversation that they barely noticed me.

He kept trying to engage me in conversation.

She's skilled in the art of conversation.

an interesting topic of conversation

We had a conversation by e-mail.

Recent Examples on the Web

This conversation has been edited for length, clarity and continuity. —Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

After Trump announced on social media Saturday evening that U.S. stealth jets had flown to Iran and dropped bombs on nuclear sites, escalating an already tense situation, Democrats found themselves in a circular series of conversations. —Philip Elliott, Time, 23 June 2025

Congress returns to Washington after U.S. strike on Iran The main topic of conversation on Capitol Hill this week is poised to be the U.S.’s Saturday strike on three nuclear facilities in Iran, which marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. —Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 23 June 2025

With Durant in the mix, the Rockets are firmly in the title-or-bust conversation for next season. —Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conversacioun, from Anglo-French conversacion, from Latin conversation-, conversatio, from conversari to associate with, frequentative of convertere to turn around

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing conversation

• carry on a conversation
• conversation piece
• criminal conversation
• hold a quiet conversation
• make conversation
• strike up a conversation

Rhymes for conversation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

conversation

noun

con·​ver·​sa·​tion ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shən 

: talking or a talk between two or more people

conversational

-ˈsā-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

conversationally

-ē

adverb