conversation
noun /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃn/
/ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃn/
[countable, uncountable]- an informal talk involving a small group of people or only two; the activity of talking in this way
- a phone conversation
- The main topic of conversation was the likely outcome of the election.
- I tried to make conversation (= to speak in order to appear polite).
- conversation with somebody I had a long conversation with her the other day.
- She was engaged in conversation with a colleague.
- (British English) to get into conversation with somebody
- (North American English) to get into a conversation with somebody
- conversation between A and B I overheard a conversation between two colleagues.
- conversation about something We had to listen to endless conversations about high prices and food shortages.
- in conversation Don was deep in conversation with the girl on his right.
- I spent an hour in conversation with him.
- The conversation turned to gardening.
- Desperately he struggled to keep the conversation going.
- I see no point in continuing this conversation.
- She tried to steer the conversation away from the topic of marriage.
- He felt a sudden alarm at the turn the conversation was taking.
Synonyms discussiondiscussion- conversation
- dialogue
- talk
- debate
- consultation
- chat
- gossip
- discussion a detailed conversation about something that is considered to be important:
- Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders.
- conversation a talk, usually a private or informal one, involving two people or a small group; the activity of talking in this way:
- a telephone conversation
- dialogue conversations in a book, play or film:
- The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue.
- The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue.
- talk a conversation or discussion, often one about a problem or something important for the people involved:
- I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects.
- debate a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue:
- a debate on prison reform
- consultation a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about something:
- There have been extensive consultations between the two countries.
- chat a friendly informal conversation; informal talking. The countable use of chat is especially British English: I just called in for a chat about the kids.
- gossip a conversation about other people and their private lives:
- We had a good gossip about the boss.
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip about something
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation on something
- in (close) discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation with somebody
- to have a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip with somebody
- to hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation
Express Yourself Conversation openersConversation openersWhat can you say when you have to speak to someone for the first time or when you have to open a meeting? Here are some possible ways of starting a conversation or getting the audience's attention before a talk or speech:- Do you mind if I sit here?
- Hello, is this seat taken?
- May I join you? Can I get you a coffee?
- Lovely weather we’re having!/Can you believe this rain/wind/cold/sunshine?
- Excuse me, could I ask you a question?
- Shall we make a start? I think it's almost three o'clock.
- Shall we get started? I'd like to introduce our speaker.
- I think everyone's here, so I'd like to welcome you to this conference.
Extra Examples- A chance conversation led to a brilliant new career for the young student.
- All conversation ceased and everyone turned around.
- All too soon the stilted conversation ran dry.
- Cara kept up a one-sided conversation.
- Don was in close conversation with the girl on his right.
- During the course of conversation, it emerged that Sheila had lived in Nigeria.
- He said that television had been the death of good conversation.
- He was waiting for her to open the conversation.
- I got into a conversation with Chris about UFOs.
- I got into conversation with one of the directors.
- I had an interesting conversation with Dick Wortley.
- I managed to bring the conversation around to why they were leaving.
- I overheard snatches of a conversation between two doctors.
- I recall a conversation in which he told me he would never leave Paris.
- I tried to make conversation with the three people around the table.
- I was courteous but didn't encourage conversation.
- I was keen to strike up a conversation with him.
- In the Western world it is polite to maintain eye contact during conversation.
- In the programme tonight we hear Dr Chris Toole in conversation with the artist Mary Witherspoon.
- It's not a subject that often crops up in casual conversation.
- Our hostess did her best to keep the conversation going.
- Police taped the conversation.
- She avoided conversation with the other passengers.
- She could hear him over the buzz of conversation and laughter.
- She ignored all my attempts at conversation.
- She turned the conversation to her work.
- The book became an instant best-seller and topic of water-cooler conversation.
- The conversation drifted away from babies.
- The conversation drifted into family chat.
- The conversation ended when the vacuum cleaner started up.
- The conversation moved on to other things.
- The conversation proceeded in French.
- The main topic of conversation was the big football match.
- The two of you need to have a face-to-face conversation.
- There is an ongoing conversation in society about how we raise our children.
- There was no time for a proper conversation.
- They all relaxed and conversation flowed freely.
- They were deep in conversation and didn't notice the time.
- Think of prayer as a two-way conversation.
- We carried on a rather awkward conversation.
- We engaged in a long conversation.
- We had a long conversation about old cars.
- We sat making polite conversation and feeling rather uncomfortable.
- When I tried to engage him in conversation, she always interrupted.
- When did this conversation take place?
- When you are struggling with an unfamiliar language, the simplest conversations can be misinterpreted.
- You can't hold a private conversation there.
- Young children become quickly bored by adult conversation.
- a conversation between Jane and her parents
- a conversation on the topic of activities for children
- a plain girl who had no conversation and no social graces
- listening to endless conversations about high prices and food shortages
- I got into a conversation with a man on the bus.
- I tried to make polite conversation.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- brief
- short
- lengthy
- …
- snatch
- carry on
- have
- hold
- …
- occur
- take place
- continue
- …
- during conversation
- in conversation with
- conversation about
- …
- an attempt at conversation
- be in… conversation (with somebody)
- a buzz of conversation
- …
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘living among, familiarity, intimacy’): via Old French from Latin conversatio(n-), from the verb conversari ‘keep company (with)’, from con- ‘with’ + versare, frequentative of vertere ‘to turn’.