Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense parleys, present participle parleying, past tense, past participle parleyed
1. variable noun
A parley is a discussion between two opposing people or groups in which both sides try to come to an agreement.
[old-fashioned]
Synonyms: discussion, conference, meeting, talk(s) More Synonyms of parley
2. verb
When two opposing people or groups parley, they meet to discuss something in order to come to an agreement.
[humorous, or informal]
...a place where we meet and parley. [VERB]
I don't think you've ever tried parleying with Gleed, have you? [VERB + with]
Synonyms: discuss, talk, speak, negotiate More Synonyms of parley
parley in British English
(ˈpɑːlɪ)
noun
1.
a discussion, esp between enemies under a truce to decide terms of surrender, etc
verb
2. (intransitive)
to discuss, esp with an enemy under a truce
3. (transitive)
to speak (a foreign language)
Derived forms
parleyer (ˈparleyer)
noun
Word origin
C16: from French, from parler to talk, from Medieval Latin parabolāre, from Late Latin parabola speech, parable
parley in American English
(ˈpɑrli)
verb intransitive
1.
to have a conference or discussion, esp. with an enemy; confer
nounWord forms: pluralˈparleys
2.
a talk or conference for the purpose of discussing a specific matter or of settling a dispute, as a military conference with an enemy, under a truce, for discussing terms
Word origin
< Fr parler, to speak < OFr < LL(Ec) parabolare, to speak < parabola, a speech, parable
Examples of 'parley' in a sentence
parley
This looked like a surrender: there would not be so many men, some two hundred in all, if it were a parley party.
Shah, Idries KARA KUSH (2004)
Among our people one of the twelve essential conditions for a parley is the presence of a bard.
Kerr, Katharine A TIME OF WAR (2004)
Lord Dondo and I were sent as the envoys, under the flag of parley, to deliver an ultimatum to Olus and arrange the terms and ransoms.
Lois McMaster Bujold THE CURSE OF CHALION (2004)
(noun)
Definition
a discussion between members of opposing sides to decide terms of agreement
A treaty was reached by a 40-nation parley in Geneva.
Synonyms
discussion
There was a discussion about the wording of the report.
conference
The president summoned the state governors to a conference on education.
meeting
I travel to London regularly for business meetings.
talk(s)
council
The powers of the King had been handed over temporarily to a council of ministers.
congress
A lot has changed since the party congress.
dialogue
He wants to open a dialogue with the protesters.
seminar
a series of half-day seminars
hui (New Zealand)
He arranged a hui which called together a broad span of Māori tribes and opinions.
palaver
Have you two finished your little palaver?
powwow
colloquy
confab (informal)
korero (New Zealand)
(verb)
Definition
to have a parley
Both sides indicated their readiness to parley.
Synonyms
discuss
talk
Let's talk about these new ideas of yours.
speak
It was very emotional when we spoke again.
negotiate
The president may be willing to negotiate with the democrats.
deliberate
The jury deliberated for two hours before returning with the verdict.
confer
She conferred with Hill and the others in her office.
palaver
powwow
confabulate (formal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of confabulate
Synonyms
discuss,
talk,
chat,
gossip,
converse,
natter,
shoot the breeze (slang, US),
chew the rag or fat (slang),
korero (New Zealand)
in the sense of confer
Definition
to discuss together
She conferred with Hill and the others in her office.
Synonyms
discuss,
talk,
consult,
deliberate,
discourse,
converse,
parley
in the sense of conference
Definition
a meeting for formal consultation or discussion
The president summoned the state governors to a conference on education.
Synonyms
meeting,
congress,
discussion,
convention,
forum,
consultation,
seminar,
symposium,
hui (New Zealand),
convocation,
colloquium
Nearby words of
parley
park
park yourself
parlance
parley
parliament
parliamentary
parlour
Synonyms of 'parley'
parley
Explore 'parley' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of congress
Definition
a formal meeting of representatives for discussion
A lot has changed since the party congress.
Synonyms
meeting,
council,
conference,
diet,
assembly,
convention,
conclave,
legislative assembly,
convocation (formal),
hui (New Zealand),
runanga (New Zealand)
in the sense of council
Definition
a legislative or advisory body
The powers of the King had been handed over temporarily to a council of ministers.
Synonyms
governing body,
house,
parliament,
congress,
cabinet,
ministry,
diet,
panel,
assembly,
chamber,
convention,
synod,
conclave,
convocation (formal),
conference,
runanga (New Zealand)
in the sense of deliberate
Definition
to consider (something) deeply
The jury deliberated for two hours before returning with the verdict.
Synonyms
consider,
think,
ponder,
discuss,
debate,
reflect,
consult,
weigh,
meditate,
mull over,
ruminate,
cogitate
in the sense of dialogue
Definition
a discussion between representatives of two nations or groups
He wants to open a dialogue with the protesters.
Synonyms
discussion,
talks,
conference,
negotiations,
exchange,
debate,
chat,
confabulation (formal),
interlocution
in the sense of hui
Definition
a meeting to discuss Maori matters
He arranged a hui which called together a broad span of Māori tribes and opinions.
Synonyms
meeting,
gathering,
assembly,
meet,
conference,
congress,
session,
rally,
convention,
get-together (informal),
reunion,
congregation,
conclave,
convocation (formal),
powwow
in the sense of meeting
Definition
an assembly or gathering of people
I travel to London regularly for business meetings.
Synonyms
conference,
gathering,
assembly,
meet,
congress,
session,
rally,
convention,
get-together (informal),
meet-up,
reunion,
congregation,
hui (New Zealand),
lekgotal or kgotla (South Africa),
conclave,
convocation (formal),
powwow
in the sense of negotiate
Definition
to talk with others in order to reach (an agreement)
The president may be willing to negotiate with the democrats.