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Dictionary Language resources

conversation

Syllabification: (con·ver·sa·tion)

Pronunciation: /ˌkänvərˈsāSHən/

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Definition of conversation

noun

the informal exchange of ideas by spoken words:the two men were deep in conversation
an instance of this:she picked up the phone and held a conversation in French

Phrases

make conversation: talk for the sake of politeness without having anything to say.

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'living among, familiarity, intimacy'): via Old French from Latin conversatio(n-), from the verb conversari (see converse¹)