conversation

[kon-ver-sey-shuh n] /ˌkɒn vərˈseɪ ʃən/

noun

informal interchange of thoughts, information, etc., by spoken words; oral communication between persons; talk; colloquy.

an instance of this.

association or social intercourse; intimate acquaintance.

criminal conversation.

the ability to talk socially with others:

She writes well but has no conversation.

Obsolete.

behavior or manner of living.
close familiarity; intimate acquaintance, as from constant use or study.

Origin

1300-50; Middle English conversacio(u)n < Latin conversātiōn- (stem of conversātiō) society, intercourse, equivalent to conversāt(us) past participle of conversārī to associate with (see converse¹) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms

preconversation, noun

Synonyms

1. dialogue, chat.

Examples from the web for conversation

Sometimes as two people typed out a conversation, with the slight delay that entailed, dialogue overlapped.
The casual comfort of the two chairs seems to invite relaxation and intimate conversation.
Few foliage plants prompt as much conversation as coleus.
The dining room walls inspire lively, rowdy meals with good conversation.
But moving the conversation online means that far more people can take part.
Face to face also adds a level of honesty to the dynamics of the conversation that the digital world does not yet capture.
In fact diplomacy's never-ending private conversation ultimately helps see off war and strife.
But this is secondary relative to the need for a global conversation and then subsequently global policy action.
Readers can listen into the conversation by registering here.
It is difficult enough to convince them of an argument as part of the normal cut-and-thrust of political conversation.

British Dictionary definitions for conversation

conversation

/ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən/

noun

the interchange through speech of information, ideas, etc; spoken communication

make conversation, to talk in an artificial way

adjective colloquial

Word Origin and History for conversation

mid-14c., "living together, having dealings with others," also "manner of conducting oneself in the world;" from Old French conversation, from Latin conversationem (nominative conversatio) "act of living with," noun of action from past participle stem of conversari "to live with, keep company with," literally "turn about with," from Latin com- "with" (see com-) + vertare, frequentative of vertere (see versus).

Specific sense of "talk" is 1570s. Used as a synonym for "sexual intercourse" from at least 1511, hence criminal conversation, legal term for adultery from late 18c. Related: Conversationalist; conversationist.

conversation in the Bible

generally the goings out and in of social intercourse (Eph. 2:3; 4:22; R.V., "manner of life"); one's deportment or course of life. This word is never used in Scripture in the sense of verbal communication from one to another (Ps. 50:23; Heb. 13:5). In Phil. 1:27 and 3:20, a different Greek word is used. It there means one's relations to a community as a citizen, i.e., citizenship.

Idioms and Phrases with conversation

conversation

In addition to the idiom beginning with conversation also see: make conversation