What does "talk" mean?
A conversation or discussion; usually serious, but informal.
Talk
/tɔːk/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A conversation or discussion; usually serious, but informal.
- Grammar: talk is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: conversation, lecture, speak, accent.
- Useful contrasts: longest silence, signed communication, silent.
- Usage evidence: I may be antisocial, but it doesn't mean I don't talk to people.
How to use "talk"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "talk" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "talk" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "talk" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "talk" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "talk" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "conversation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "talk", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A conversation or discussion; usually serious, but informal. countable, uncountable
"We need to have a talk about your homework."
- 2 the act of giving a talk to an audience wordnet
- 3 A lecture. countable, uncountable
"There is a talk on Shakespeare tonight."
- 4 an exchange of ideas via conversation wordnet
- 5 Gossip; rumour. uncountable
"There's been talk lately about the two of them."
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 discussion; (‘talk about’ is a less formal alternative for ‘discussion of’) wordnet
- 7 A major topic of social discussion. countable, uncountable
"She is the talk of the day."
- 8 idle gossip or rumor wordnet
- 9 A customary conversation by parent(s) or guardian(s) with their (often teenage) child about a reality of life; in particular:; A customary conversation in which parent(s) explain sexual intercourse to their child. countable, uncountable
"Have you had the talk with Jay yet? I found a condom in his room."
- 10 a speech that is open to the public wordnet
- 11 A customary conversation by parent(s) or guardian(s) with their (often teenage) child about a reality of life; in particular:; A customary conversation in which the parent(s) of a black child explain the racism and violence they may face, especially when interacting with police, and strategies to manage it. US, countable, uncountable
"Later, I made sure to have the talk with my son about being a black boy, […]"
- 12 Empty boasting, promises or claims. uncountable
"The party leader's speech was all talk."
- 13 Meeting to discuss a particular matter. countable, plural-normally, uncountable
"The leaders of the G8 nations are currently in talks over nuclear weapons."
Verb
- 1 To communicate, usually by means of speech. intransitive
"Let's sit down and talk."
- 2 deliver a lecture or talk wordnet
- 3 To discuss; to talk about. informal, transitive
"They sat down to talk business."
- 4 divulge confidential information or secrets wordnet
- 5 To speak (a certain language). transitive
"We talk French sometimes."
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 express in speech wordnet
- 7 Used to emphasise the importance, size, complexity etc. of the thing mentioned. informal, transitive
"Are you interested in the job? They're talking big money."
- 8 reveal information wordnet
- 9 To confess, especially implicating others. intransitive, slang
"Suppose he talks?"
- 10 exchange thoughts; talk with wordnet
- 11 To criticize someone for something of which one is guilty oneself. intransitive
"I am not the one to talk."
- 12 use language wordnet
- 13 To gossip; to create scandal. intransitive
"People will talk."
- 14 To manifest outwardly in speech, as opposed to reality or action. transitive
"Remember that Christ and Christianity may not always be the same thing; e.g. Jerry Falwell talks "Christianity" but practices hatred […] which is diametrically opposed to what Jesus really taught."
- 15 To influence someone to express something, especially a particular stance or viewpoint or in a particular manner. informal
"That's not like you at all, Jared. The drugs are talking. Snap out of it!"
Antonyms
Example
"I may be antisocial, but it doesn't mean I don't talk to people."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "talk"?
Common synonyms include: conversation, lecture, speak, accent, accents, address.
How do you use "talk" in a sentence?
I may be antisocial, but it doesn't mean I don't talk to people.
How do you pronounce "talk"?
Pronounced /tɔːk/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English talken, talkien, from Old English *tealcian (“to talk, chat”), from Proto-West Germanic *talkōn, from Proto-Germanic *talkōną (“to talk, chatter”), frequentative form of Proto-Germanic *talōną (“to count, recount, tell”), from Proto-Indo-European *dol-, *del- (“to aim, calculate, adjust, count”), equivalent to tell + -k. Cognate with Scots talk (“to talk”), Low German taalken (“to talk”). Related also to Danish tale (“to talk, speak”), Swedish tala (“to talk, speak, say, chatter”), Icelandic tala (“to talk”), Norwegian tale (“speech”), Old English talian (“to count, calculate, reckon, account, consider, think, esteem, value; argue; tell, relate; impute, assign”). More at tale. Despite the surface similarity, unrelated to Proto-Indo-European *telkʷ- (“to talk”) (due to Grimm's law), which is the source of loquacious.
Etymology 2
From Middle English talk, talke (“conversation; discourse”), from the verb (see above).