conversation
Back-and-forth talk
Conversation is spoken exchange between people.
The word emphasizes back-and-forth interaction rather than one-way speech: We had a long conversation about her future.
A conversation starter is something that prompts discussion.
To make conversation is to chat politely, often to fill silence.
In computing, conversational interfaces respond to natural language.
Informal verbal exchange
- talkVerbal exchange between people
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- chatterLight, rapid speech
- natterLight, aimless conversation
confab · schmooze · gabfest · tête-à-tête · small talk · catch up · chinwag · gab
Discussion between opposing sides
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- consultationMeeting seeking expert guidance
- conferenceOrganized meeting for discussion
summit · bargaining · discussion · terms · compromise · concession · proposal · counteroffer
Spoken exchange between parties
- scriptWritten words for performance
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- linesStrokes connecting two points
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
soliloquy · playwright · rehearsal · scene · exchange · theater · performance · improvisation
Sincere personal discussion
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- sharingDividing among others
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- trustConfidence in another
empathy · listening · understanding · comfort · support · bonding · revelation · secret
Quick, clever conversation
- quipsBrief witty remarks
- jokesHumorous remarks or stories
- jestingPlayful, unserious speech
- witticismClever, amusing remark
teasing · humor · raillery · pleasantry · ribbing · badinage · wit · bickering
Reasoned case or dispute
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
counterargument · refutation · dialectic · rhetoric · contention · cross-examination · persuasion · polemic
Formal questioning session
- consultationMeeting seeking expert guidance
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- meetingGathering for discussion
- briefingConcise information session
debrief · appointment · session · exchange · inquiry · presentation · panel · roundtable
Written or printed words
- messageTransmitted communication
- threadFiber for stitching
- DMPrivate digital correspondence
- commentBrief stated opinion
reply · emoji · voice note · video call · livestream · chat room · forum · online
chat
Informal verbal exchange
natter · confab · schmooze · gabfest · tête-à-tête · small talk · catch up · chinwag · gab · prattle
parley
Discussion between opposing sides
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- consultationMeeting seeking expert guidance
conference · summit · bargaining · discussion · terms · compromise · concession · proposal · counteroffer · agreement
dialogue
Spoken exchange between parties
- scriptWritten words for performance
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- linesStrokes connecting two points
monologue · soliloquy · playwright · rehearsal · scene · exchange · theater · performance · improvisation · cue
heart-to-heart
Sincere personal discussion
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- sharingDividing among others
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
trust · empathy · listening · understanding · comfort · support · bonding · revelation · secret · confidence
repartee
Quick, clever conversation
witticism · teasing · humor · raillery · pleasantry · ribbing · badinage · wit · bickering · roast
argument
Reasoned case or dispute
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
rebuttal · counterargument · refutation · dialectic · rhetoric · contention · cross-examination · persuasion · polemic · discourse
interview
Formal questioning session
- consultationMeeting seeking expert guidance
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- meetingGathering for discussion
briefing · debrief · appointment · session · exchange · inquiry · presentation · panel · roundtable · testimony
text
Written or printed words
comment · reply · emoji · voice note · video call · livestream · chat room · forum · online · typing
- communicationtelephone, inform, hand signal, messages, dialogue
- social interactiongreeting, hello, goodbye, hi, bye
- social lifefriend, family, group, relationship, community
- soundssound, beeps, listen, sounds, hear
- speechspeech, speaking, talk, diction, pronunciation
- interactionstalking, sharing, greeting, helping, listening
conversationsilence
Total lack of sound
quiet · quietude · taciturnity · muteness · speechlessness
conversationinterrogation
Formal, probing examination
grilling · cross-examination · inquisition · verbal assault · tongue-lashing
- make conversationEngage in casual talk
- casual conversationInformal spoken exchange
- conversation starterInitiates social exchange
- dinner conversation
- conversation heartsPrinted candy valentines
- polite conversationCourteous social discourse
conversational, conversations, conversationalist, conversationally, conversationalists, conversating, nonconversational, conversation piece