conversation starter
Initial social gambit
A conversation starter is a topic, question, or remark intended to initiate social interaction, especially among strangers or in awkward silences: The host placed conversation starter cards on each table.
The term also applies to objects that invite comment—an unusual piece of jewelry, an interesting artwork: That vintage motorcycle is quite a conversation starter.
- icebreakerTension-easing social activity
- breaking the iceInitiating social contact
- openerWhat begins something
- opening lineInitial sentence of text
- small talkPolite trivial conversation
nice weather · hello · introduction · getting to know · chitchat · greeting · weather · question · awkward · party · stranger · new in town · networking · mingle · social butterfly · first impression · breaking silence · compliment
- online datersswiper, matcher, ghoster, serial dater, first timer
- flirtingpickup line, wink, winking, hair flip, chat-up line
- greetingshi, hello, hey, hola, aloha
- icebreakersicebreakers, name game, ice breakers, would you rather, never have I ever
- beginningsbegin, beginning, first, opening, origin
- curioscurios, curio, curiosities, curiosity, knickknacks
conversation starterconversation stopper
Remark ending discussion abruptly
awkward silence · mood killer · dead end · buzzkill · dead air
conversation startermonologue
Uninterrupted solo address
stonewalling · silent treatment · lecture · diatribe · soliloquy
conversation, starter, converse, conversing, conversed, conversational, conversationally, conversationalist, start