ENGLISH
REFERENCE

communication

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //kəmˌjunəˈkeɪʃən// UK //kəmjˌuːnɪkˈeɪʃən// com·mu·ni·ca·tion Archaic General-service

n. the act of sharing information, ideas, or feelings with other people. It can happen through speaking, writing, or even body language.

n. the successful transmission of information, ideas, or emotions between individuals or groups. Often used to describe the process or the system through which messages are exchanged.


SIMPLE

Good communication is very important in a healthy relationship.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager improved internal communication by sending a weekly email update to every member of the staff.

COMPLEX

Effective cross-cultural communication requires not only a shared language but also an awareness of the subtle social cues and historical contexts that shape how messages are interpreted.

Synonyms
Origin

Inherited from Middle English comunicacioun, communicacion (“discussion, association”), from Old French communicacion, from Latin commūnicātiōnem, accusative singular of commūnicātiō (“imparting, communicating”), from commūnicō (“to share, to impart”). Morphologically communicate + -ion.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general process of sharing information; countable when referring to a specific message or a connection between places.

Pitfall

The communications between us is goodThe communication between us is goodWhen referring to the abstract quality of how people talk to each other, the word is uncountable and should be singular.

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