conversation

conversation — noun

1. a situation where people speak with each other, taking turns to share their thou

1.nounB1
Definition

a situation where people speak with each other, taking turns to share their thoughts, ask questions, or exchange news and opinions — such as when you chat with a friend over coffee or when a family discusses weekend plans together.

Example

Haruto and his grandmother had a long conversation about his plans to study abroad.

had + a + (adjective) + conversation + about [topic]

During the train ride, Élise struck up a conversation with a fellow passenger.

struck up a conversation + with + [person]

Common collocations
  • have a conversation
  • strike up a conversation
  • engage in conversation
  • hold a conversation
  • a private conversation
  • a brief conversation
  • a deep conversation
  • a casual conversation
Synonyms
  • talk

    more general and slightly more informal; can refer to any spoken exchange, including one-sided speech

  • chat

    very informal, friendly, and often short; suggests light or casual topics

  • discussion

    more focused and structured; usually about a specific topic or issue with some depth

  • dialogue

    more formal, often between two parties; can imply careful exchange of differing views

Antonyms
  • silence

    absence of any spoken exchange

  • monologue

    one person speaking without turn-taking, the opposite of a two-way exchange

Grammar Patterns

have + (a) + conversation + about/with

in + conversation + with

strike up + (a) + conversation + with

Usage Note

Conversation is countable when referring to a specific instance of talking ('we had a wonderful conversation') and uncountable when referring to the activity in general ('she is easy to talk to in conversation'). It is typically used with the verb 'have', not 'make', although the fixed phrase 'make conversation' exists as an idiom meaning to talk politely.

Common Mistakes

I had a conversation to my boss about the project.
I had a conversation with my boss about the project.
the correct preposition after 'a conversation' is 'with', not 'to'.
We made a conversation about the weather.
We had a conversation about the weather.
use 'have' not 'make' with 'conversation' for normal talking. ('Make conversation' is a fixed idiom meaning to talk politely, not to initiate a specific talk.)
I had conversation with him.' (without article)
I had a conversation with him.
when referring to a specific exchange, use the article 'a'.
Idioms

make conversation

idiom

to talk to someone simply to be polite or to avoid silence, rather than because you have something important or genuine to discuss

At the party, Sirin tried to make conversation with a guest she had never met before.

David is shy and often struggles to make conversation at business events.

Word family

  • converse
    verbB2
  • conversational
    adjectiveB2
  • conversationalist
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe spoken exchanges, but they differ in formality, structure, and purpose. 'Talk' is the broadest and most neutral term — you can have a talk with a friend or a teacher about anything. 'Chat' is warmer and more informal, suggesting a relaxed, often brief exchange about everyday matters, such as chatting about the weather. 'Discussion' implies a more deliberate, focused exchange, often aimed at exploring an issue or reaching a conclusion — for instance, a team discussion about a project deadline. 'Dialogue' is the most formal and structured, frequently used for exchanges between groups with differing positions, such as a dialogue between management and staff. Choosing the right word depends on how serious, structured, or formal the exchange is. A casual 'chat' becomes a 'discussion' when decisions need to be made, and a 'discussion' becomes a 'dialogue' when it involves official or opposing viewpoints.

talk ↗chat ↗discussion ↗dialogue ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'conversation' entered English in the 14th century from Old French 'conversation', which came from Latin 'conversatio' meaning 'way of life, conduct'. The Latin root 'conversari' combined 'com-' (together) with 'versari' (to turn, to be occupied with), literally meaning 'to turn about with' or 'to keep company with'. The original sense in Latin referred to how one lives or behaves among others. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'living together' to 'talking together', acquiring its modern sense of an informal spoken exchange by the 1500s.