- 1[uncountable] the act of discussing something with someone or with a group of people before making a decision about it a consultation document/paper/period/process acting in consultation with all the departments involved The decision was made after close consultation with local residents. Thesaurusdiscussion
- 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 countries.
- 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 movie:The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue.A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute:The leaders engaged in a constructive dialogue about climate change.
- 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 Congress. In a debate, two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue:a debate over prison reform
- consultation a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about something:The proposal was based on extensive consultations with leading scientists.
- chat a friendly, informal conversation; informal talking:Could I have a quick chat with you?
- gossip talk about other people and their private lives, that is often unkind or not true:Office gossip can be nasty and cruel.
- (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 >with>somebody
- to hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation
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- 2[countable] a formal meeting to discuss something extensive consultations between the two countries
- 3[countable] a meeting with an expert, such as a lawyer or doctor, to get advice or treatment A 30-minute consultation will cost $50. Thesaurusinterview
- interrogation
- audience
- consultation
- interview a formal meeting at which someone is asked questions, for example, to see if they are suitable for a particular job or course of study, or in order to find out their opinions about something:a job interview
- interrogation the process of asking someone a lot of questions, especially in an aggressive way, in order to get information; an occasion on which this is done:He confessed after four days of interrogation.
- audience a formal meeting with an important person:The Pope granted her a private audience.
- consultation a meeting with an expert, such as a lawyer or doctor, to get advice or treatment:A 30-minute consultation will cost $50.
- an in-depth interview/consultation
- a police interview/interrogation
- to have/request a(n) interview/audience/consultation >with>somebody
- to give/grant somebody a(n) interview/audience/consultation
- to carry out/conduct an interview/interrogation
- 4[uncountable] the act of looking for information in a book, etc. There is a large collection of texts available for consultation on-screen.
Check pronunciation: consultation