conversation

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noun

American English pronunciation: conversation

/ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃ(ə)n/

singular	conversation
plural	conversations

Related dictionary definitions

Metaphor

1
[countable] a talk between two or more people, usually a private and informal one
Later in the evening, the conversation turned to politics.
conversation between:
a conversation between two friends
have a conversation:
She had a long conversation with her mother.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of conversation
2
[uncountable] informal talk between people
With so much loud music, conversation was almost impossible.
topic/subject of conversation:
He’s so boring – his only topic of conversation is football.
snatches of conversation (=short parts of a conversation):
I overheard a few snatches of conversation and realized we were in trouble.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of conversation

phrases

get into conversation (with someone)
to start talking to someone you have never met before
She met Harry at the airport and they got into conversation.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of conversation
make conversation
to talk to someone that you do not know well, in order to be polite, not because you really want to talk to them. This type of conversation is also called small talk
“Nice party, isn’t it?” I said, trying to make conversation.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of conversation

Metaphor: conversation

A conversation or discussion is like a trip, with the speakers going from one place to another.

Let’s go back to what you were saying earlier.
Can we return to the previous point?
I can’t quite see where you’re heading.
The conversation took an unexpected turn/direction.
I’m listening – Go on!
We’ve covered a lot of ground.
I was just coming on to that.
We eventually arrived at a conclusion.
It’s an indirect way of saying she’s refusing our offer.
You’re on the right/wrong track.
We wandered off the topic.
The conversation drifted aimlessly.
We kept going around in circles.

This is the American English definition of conversation. View British English definition of conversation.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

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