conversation

conversation
noun
1 (C) an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts: a telephone conversation | He stood silent in the doorway, unwilling to interrupt their conversation. | have/hold a conversation: I had a long conversation with my brother on his birthday. | carry on a conversation (=have a conversation): It's impossible to carry on a conversation with all this noise in the background. | turn a conversation to sth (=begin talking about something): The conversation turned to the subject of Sarah's new boyfriend.
2 (U) informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts: the buzz of conversation | make conversation (=talk to someone in an informal way that actually needs some effort to think of what to say): I'm not very good at making polite conversation. | be in conversation with (=be talking to someone): In today's programme, three well-known artists are in conversation with Jenny Murray.
3 get into conversation especially BrE also get into a conversation especially AmE to begin to talk to someone, especially someone you do not know: I got into conversation with the bus driver today, and he told me that fares are going up again soon.

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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  • conversation — [ kɔ̃vɛrsasjɔ̃ ] n. f. • 1537; « relation, rapports, genre de vie » 1160; lat. conversatio « fréquentation » 1 ♦ Échange de propos (naturel, spontané); ce qui se dit dans un tel échange. ⇒ discussion, entretien, région. palabre. Conversation… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • conversation — CONVERSATION. s. f. Entretien familier. Conversation agréable, douce, aisée, enjouée, badine, sérieuse, galance, intéressante. Conversation ennuyeuse, longue, sèche, aride. Entrer en conversation. Être en conversation. Lier conversation. Renouer… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • conversation — Conversation. subst. f. v. Entretien familier. Agreable, douce, aisée, enjoüée conversation. conversation ennuyeuse. longue conversation. seche, aride, guindée. entrer en conversation. estre en conversation lier, noüer conversation. se plaire à… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Conversation — Con ver*sa tion, n. [OE. conversacio (in senses 1 & 2), OF. conversacion, F. conversation, fr. L. conversatio frequent abode in a place, intercourse, LL. also, manner of life.] 1. General course of conduct; behavior. [Archaic] [1913 Webster] Let… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Conversation — Conversation. In der seinen und gebildeten Gesellschaft ist die Conversation der Hauptreiz der Unterhaltung, das belebende Element derselben. In ihr findet der Austausch der Ideen Statt. sie ist der Kampfplatz, wo Meinungen, Ansichten, Maximen… …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

  • conversation — UK US /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən/ noun [C] ► a discussion with someone about a particular subject: have a conversation »We believe the company has the resources it needs, but if more is needed, we ll have that conversation …   Financial and business terms

  • conversation — (n.) mid 14c., living together, having dealings with others, also manner of conducting oneself in the world; from O.Fr. conversation, from L. conversationem (nom. conversatio) act of living with, from conversat , pp. stem of conversari to live… …   Etymology dictionary

  • conversation — [kän΄vər sā′shən] n. [ME conversacioun < OFr conversation < L conversatio < pp. of conversari: see CONVERSE1] 1. the act or an instance of talking together; specif., a) familiar talk; verbal exchange of ideas, opinions, etc. b) an… …   English World dictionary

  • conversation — I noun articulation, causerie, chat, collocution, colloquial discourse, colloquy, communication, confabulation, conloquium, consultation, conversing, deliberation, dialogue, discourse, discussion, dissertation, exchange, exchange of views,… …   Law dictionary

  • conversation — conversation, converse communion, communication, *intercourse, commerce, traffic, dealings, correspondence Analogous words: conversing, talking or talk, speaking or speech (see corresponding verbs at SPEAK) converse vb talk, *speak Analogous… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • conversation — et familiarité, Consuetudo, Conuersatio, Vsus. Conversation ordinaire, Vsus quotidianus …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

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