Conversational — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

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

Meaning & Definition of Conversational

Conversational (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

Conversational (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. fond of talking or conversation

    "the antiques dealer is not the conversational sort, so customers should not expect any impromptu chats"

    similar: blabby, chatty, gabby, garrulous, loquacious, motormouthed, mouthy, talkative, talky
    related: communicative, expansive, demonstrative, effusive, gushing, free-spoken, outspoken, unreserved, vocal, articulate, fluent, glib, voluble, well-spoken, gossipy, talebearing, tale-telling, long-winded, prolix, rambling, verbose, windy, wordy, extroverted, gregarious, outgoing, sociable
    opposite: closemouthed, laconic, reserved, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative
    near: quiet, shy, mum, mute, silent, speechless, tongue-tied, wordless, evasive, nonvocal, secretive, self-contained, aloof, indrawn, inhibited, introverted, retiring, unsociable, withdrawn

  2. having the style and content of everyday conversation

    "struck a very conversational tone in his reports of his travels through foreign countries"

    similar: chattery, chatty, colloquial, dishy, gossipy, newsy
    related: casual, familiar, informal, intimate, tell-all, digressive, discursive, rambling, communicative, expansive, garrulous, talkative
    opposite: bookish, literary
    near: ceremonious, dignified, elevated, formal, solemn, stately

  3. used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing

    "uses conversational language instead of more stilted expressions in her campaign speeches"

    similar: colloquial, informal, nonformal, nonliterary, unbookish, unliterary, vernacular, vulgar
    related: dialectal, dialectical, nonstandard, regional, incorrect, nongrammatical, substandard, uneducated, ungrammatical, unlearned, slang, slangy
    opposite: bookish, formal, learned, literary
    near: standard, undialectical, correct, educated, genteel, grammatical, proper

Related Entry: Conversation (noun)

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

  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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Conversational

The most common words with a similar meaning to Conversational:

blabby, chatty, gabby, garrulous, loquacious, motormouthed, mouthy, talkative, talky, chattery, colloquial, dishy, gossipy, newsy, informal, nonformal, nonliterary, unbookish, unliterary, vernacular, vulgar

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Conversational

Words with the opposite meaning of Conversational:

closemouthed, laconic, reserved, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative, bookish, literary, formal, learned

Related Words for Conversational

communicative, expansive, demonstrative, effusive, gushing, free-spoken, outspoken, unreserved, vocal, articulate, fluent, glib, voluble, well-spoken, talebearing, tale-telling, long-winded, prolix, rambling, verbose, windy, wordy, extroverted, gregarious, outgoing, sociable, casual, familiar, intimate, tell-all

Near Antonyms of Conversational

quiet, shy, mum, mute, silent, speechless, tongue-tied, wordless, evasive, nonvocal, secretive, self-contained, aloof, indrawn, inhibited, introverted, retiring, unsociable, withdrawn, ceremonious, dignified, elevated, solemn, stately, standard, undialectical, correct, educated, genteel, grammatical

Word Forms of Conversational

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

Origin & Etymology of Conversational

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Conversational

What does "Conversational" mean?

"Conversational" means oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Conversational"?

Other words for "Conversational" include blabby, chatty, gabby, garrulous, loquacious, motormouthed, mouthy and talkative. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Conversational" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Conversational"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Conversational". Common alternatives include blabby, chatty, gabby, garrulous, loquacious, motormouthed, mouthy, talkative, talky and chattery.

What is the opposite of "Conversational"?

Antonyms of "Conversational" include closemouthed, laconic, reserved, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative and bookish. Near antonyms include quiet, shy, mum and mute.

How do you use "Conversational" in a sentence?

Examples of "Conversational" in a sentence: "the antiques dealer is not the conversational sort, so customers should not expect any impromptu chats"; "struck a very conversational tone in his reports of his travels through foreign countries"; "uses conversational language instead of more stilted expressions in her campaign speeches".

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

"Conversational" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Conversational"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Conversational"?

"Conversational" 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.