Conversation — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shən/ con·ver·sa·tion

Meaning & Definition of Conversation

Conversation (noun)

  1. oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas
  2. an instance of such exchange, talk
  3. an informal discussion of an issue by representatives of governments, institutions, or groups

Conversation (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. talking or a talk between two or more people

    "Thomas Jefferson was celebrated for his brilliant, wide-ranging conversations with a host of friends and acquaintances"

    similar: chat, colloquy, converse, dialogue, discourse, discussion, exchange
    related: banter, chaff, cross fire, give-and-take, persiflage, raillery, repartee, conference, parley, babble, chatter, chin-wag (slang), chitchat, confabulation, gabfest, gossip, natter (chiefly British), palaver, prate, prattle, rap, small talk, table talk, round-robin, roundtable, symposium, debate, deliberation

Related Entry: Conversation piece (noun)

Conversation piece is a different word from Conversation. The synonyms below are for conversation piece, not for conversation.

  1. as in collector's item, trinketry

    similar: bauble, bibelot, curio, curiosity, doodad, gaud, gewgaw, gimcrack, kickshaw, knickknack, novelty, ornamental, tchotchke, trinket, bijouterie, bric-a-brac, gimcrackery, trinketry, trumpery, virtu, figurine, objet d'art, ornament, keepsake, memento, souvenir, collectible, collector's item, bagatelle, trifle

Related Entry: Conversation pieces (noun)

Conversation pieces is a different word from Conversation. The synonyms below are for conversation pieces, not for conversation.

  1. as in collector's items, trinketries

    similar: baubles, bibelots, curios, curiosities, doodads, gauds, gewgaws, gimcracks, kickshaws, knickknacks, novelties, ornamentals, tchotchkes, trinkets, bijouteries, bric-a-brac, gimcrackeries, trinketries, trumperies, virtus, figurines, objets d'art, ornaments, keepsakes, mementos, souvenirs, collectibles, collector's items, bagatelles, trifles

Related Entry: Engage in conversation (phrase)

Engage in conversation is a different word from Conversation. The synonyms below are for engage in conversation, not for conversation.

  1. to communicate with by means of spoken words

    "She managed to engage the office wallflower in conversation."

    similar: chat (with), converse (with), speak (to or with), talk (to)
    related: accost, address, board, collar, greet, hail, herald, inform, notify, tell

Related Entry: Criminal conversation (noun)

Criminal conversation is a different word from Conversation. The synonyms below are for criminal conversation, not for conversation.

  1. as in love, love affair

    similar: affair, amour, fling, love, love affair, romance, disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, inconstancy, perfidiousness, perfidy, treachery, adultery, cheating, infidelity, misconduct, two-timing, unfaithfulness, free love, promiscuity, entanglement, flirtation, liaison, passion, attachment, infatuation, intrigue
    opposite: faithfulness, fidelity, allegiance, constancy, dedication, devotedness, devotion, fealty, loyalty, steadfastness

Related Entry: Engaged in conversation (phrase)

Engaged in conversation is a different word from Conversation. The synonyms below are for engaged in conversation, not for conversation.

  1. to communicate with by means of spoken words

    "She managed to engage the office wallflower in conversation."

    similar: chatted (with), conversed (with), spoke (to or with), talked (to)
    related: accosted, addressed, boarded, collared, greeted, hailed, heralded, informed, notified, told

Related Entry: Engages in conversation (phrase)

Engages in conversation is a different word from Conversation. The synonyms below are for engages in conversation, not for conversation.

  1. to communicate with by means of spoken words

    "She managed to engage the office wallflower in conversation."

    similar: chats (with), converses (with), speaks (to or with), talks (to)
    related: accosts, addresses, boards, collars, greets, hails, heralds, informs, notifies, tells

Related Entry: Engaging in conversation (phrase)

Engaging in conversation is a different word from Conversation. The synonyms below are for engaging in conversation, not for conversation.

  1. to communicate with by means of spoken words

    "She managed to engage the office wallflower in conversation."

    similar: chatting (with), conversing (with), speaking (to or with), talking (to)
    related: accosting, addressing, boarding, collaring, greeting, hailing, heralding, informing, notifying, telling

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Conversation

The most common words with a similar meaning to Conversation:

chat, colloquy, converse, dialogue, discourse, discussion, exchange

Related Words for Conversation

banter, chaff, cross fire, give-and-take, persiflage, raillery, repartee, conference, parley, babble, chatter, chin-wag, chitchat, confabulation, gabfest, gossip, natter, palaver, prate, prattle, rap, small talk, table talk, round-robin, roundtable, symposium, debate, deliberation

Word Forms of Conversation

Derived words: conversational (adjective), conversationally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Conversation

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

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Conversation

Words & Phrases Containing Conversation

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Conversation

What does "Conversation" mean?

"Conversation" means oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas. As a noun, it is defined as: oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas.

What is another word for "Conversation"?

Other words for "Conversation" include chat, colloquy, converse, dialogue, discourse, discussion and exchange. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Conversation" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Conversation"?

There are 35 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Conversation". Common alternatives include chat, colloquy, converse, dialogue, discourse, discussion and exchange.

How do you use "Conversation" in a sentence?

Examples of "Conversation" in a sentence: "Thomas Jefferson was celebrated for his brilliant, wide-ranging conversations with a host of friends and acquaintances".

Is "Conversation" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Conversation" is a noun.

Is "Conversation" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Conversation" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Conversation"?

"Conversation" is pronounced /ˌkän-vər-ˈsā-shən/ and divided into syllables as con·ver·sa·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Conversation"?

"Conversation" comes from 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.