TOP

Definition of conversation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

conversation

noun
 
 
/ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃn/
 
/ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃn/
[countable, uncountable]
jump to other results
  1. 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 discussiondiscussionconversation ▪ dialogue ▪ talk ▪ debate ▪ consultation ▪ chat ▪ gossipThese are all words for an occasion when people talk about something.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.
    A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute:
    • 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.
    Patterns
    • 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 somebody 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?
      • Excuse me, could I ask you a question?
      • Shall we make a start? I think it's almost three o'clock.
      (British English)
      • Shall we get started? I'd like to introduce our speaker.
      (especially North American English)
      • 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.
    • She got into conversation with one of the directors.
    • We had an interesting conversation with Dick Wortley.
    • She managed to bring the conversation around to why they were leaving.
    • He overheard snatches of a conversation between two doctors.
    • I recall a conversation in which he told me he would never leave Paris.
    • She tried to make conversation with the three people around the table.
    • He 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.
    • We could hear him over the buzz of conversation and laughter.
    • He ignored all my attempts at conversation.
    • She turned the conversation to her work.
    • The book became an instant bestseller 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
    • 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
    • …
    … of conversation
    • snatch
    verb + conversation
    • carry on
    • have
    • hold
    • …
    conversation + verb
    • occur
    • take place
    • continue
    • …
    preposition
    • during conversation
    • in conversation with
    • conversation about
    • …
    phrases
    • an attempt at conversation
    • be in… conversation (with somebody)
    • a buzz of conversation
    • …
    See full entry
    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’.
See conversation in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee conversation in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: conversation

Nearby words

sufficiently
adverb
 
 
From the Word list
OPAL written words
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day