talk

Jump To:	Synonyms · Usage Examples · Quotes · Link/Cite
Also found in:	AH Idiom Dictionary

talk definition

talk (tôk)

intransitive verb

1. to put ideas into, or exchange ideas by, spoken words; speak; converse
2. to express something in words; make a statement (of, on, about, etc. something)
to express ideas by speech substitutes to talk by signs
to speak emptily or trivially; chatter
to gossip
to confer; consult
to make noises suggestive of speech
to reveal secret information; esp., to confess or inform on someone
to make a speech, esp. a somewhat informal one

Etymology: ME talken (akin to Fris, to chatter), prob. freq. based on OE talian, to reckon, akin to talu, tale

transitive verb

to put into spoken words; utter
to use in speaking to talk Spanish, to talk slang
1. to speak about; discuss to talk sports
2. Informal to speak of (something impressive, remarkable, expensive, etc.): usually in prp. we're talking high prices
to put into a specified condition, state of mind, etc. by talking to talk oneself hoarse

noun

1. the act of talking; speech
2. conversation, esp. of an informal nature
a speech, esp. a somewhat informal one
a formal discussion; conference
rumor; gossip
the subject of conversation, gossip, etc.
empty or frivolous remarks, discussion, or conversation
a particular kind of speech; dialect; lingo
sounds, as by an animal, suggestive of speech

Related Forms:

talker talk′er noun

talk Idioms

big talk

Slang bragging or boasting talk

have a talk with

to admonish or caution

make talk

to talk idly, as in an effort to pass time
to cause gossip

talk around

to talk (a person) over; persuade

talk at

to speak to in a way that indicates a response is not really desired

talk away

to pass (a period of time) by talking
to talk continuously; chatter

talk back

☆

to answer impertinently or rudely

talk big

Slang to boast; brag

talk down

to silence by talking louder, longer, or more effectively than
to aid (a pilot) in landing by giving spoken instructions

talk down to

to talk in a patronizing way to, as by using pointedly simple speech

talk into

to persuade (someone) to do something

talk out

to discuss (a problem, etc.) at length in an effort to reach an understanding

talk out of

to dissuade (someone) from doing something

talk over

to have a conversation about; discuss
to win (a person) over to one's view by talking; persuade

talk someone's arm off

or talk someone's ear off or talk someone's leg off

Slang to talk to someone at great length or without pause

talk up

☆ to promote or praise in discussion
to speak loudly and clearly
☆ to speak boldly, frankly, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

talk idiom

talk Synonyms

talk

Human speech
utterance, locution, parlance; see communication 1, speech 2.
A conference
symposium, parley, consultation; see conversation, discussion 1.
An address
lecture, oration, sermon; see speech 3.
Gossip
report, hearsay, tittle-tattle; see gossip 1, rumor 1.
Nonsense
bombast, twaddle, cant, banter, persiflage, noise, palaver, badinage, racket, rubbish, rot, jive*, trash*, flapdoodle*, raillery*, bunk*, fudge*; see also jargon 3, nonsense 1. See syn. study at speech.

big talk*

bragging, boasting, lying; see exaggeration 1.

make talk*

chat, converse, gossip; see talk 1.

talk

To converse
discuss, confer, chat, interview, speak, communicate, dialogue, engage in a dialogue, have a conversation, have a meeting of the minds, chatter, gossip, remark, be on the phone with, be in contact with, talk over, reason with, visit with, parley, commune with, read, hold a discussion, confide in, argue, observe, notice, inform, rehearse, debate, have an exchange, exchange opinions, have a conference with, pop off*, talk away*, go on*, gab*, chew the rag*, chew the fat*, compare notes with*, talk an arm off of*, talk a leg off of*, go over*, pipe up*, shoot off one's mouth*, spit out*, shoot the breeze*, shoot the bull*, pass the time of day*, be closeted with*.
Antonyms hush*, be silent, be still.
To lecture
speak, give a talk, deliver a speech; see address 2, lecture.
*To inform
reveal, divulge, sing*; see notify 1, tell 1.
*To persuade
induce, sway, count; see influence, persuade 1.
To utter
pronounce, express, speak; see utter. See syn. study at speak.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

talk Usage Examples

Object

dictionary: This is the first handheld talking electronic dictionary offering a video-based English learning course with color multimedia ever!

Converse of object

illustrate: The Society runs a series of illustrated talks on a wide variety of subjects during the winter season.

Adjective modifier

introductory: Introductory talk presented at the DIS98 Workshop, Brussels, April 1998.

Adjective complement

tough: Gordon Brown started talking tough this week about standing up to the unions over pensions.

Followed by an intransitive particle

through: Theyâll then talk through with you the best options available and make the various calculations to evaluate them.

Noun used with modifier

peace: In Nepal, women who were victims of violence are seeking representation in peace talks between the government and Maoist rebels.

talk usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

talk quotes

A crowd is not company, and faces are but a gallery of pictures, and talk but atinkling cymbal, wherethere isno love. See Bible121:9.

-Bacon, Francis,Viscount St Albans

It seems to be typical of life in America, where opportunities, real and fancied, are thicker than anywhere else on the globe, that the second generation has no time to talk to the first.

-Baldwin,James Arthur

In all labour there is profit: but thetalkof the lips tendeth only to penury.

-Bible (Old Testament)

talk quotes (more)

Link to this page:

Cite this page: