talk
v. · n.-
1 to speak (v.) A1 Beginnerto say words to someone to share information or feelings.
to communicate by means of spoken language. Intransitive, though often followed by 'to' or 'with'.
ExampleWe sat in the park and talked for hours about our summer plans.
ExampleThe diplomats talked for several hours behind closed doors, attempting to find common ground before the official summit began.
- be silent
PitfallI need to talk you about the project.I need to talk to you about the project.In most contexts, 'talk' requires the preposition 'to' or 'with' before the person you are speaking to.
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2 to discuss (v.) B1 Intermediate Informalto discuss a specific topic.
to discuss or deliberate upon a particular subject. Transitive in informal registers.
ExampleLet's sit down and talk business over lunch.
ExampleIf we are going to talk strategy, we need to ensure that every department head is present to provide their input.
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3 to confess (v.) C1 Advanced Slangto give information to the police or an enemy, often about other people.
to reveal secret information or confess to a crime, typically under pressure or interrogation.
ExampleThe police were sure the suspect would talk once they showed him the evidence.
ExampleDespite hours of intense questioning by the authorities, the witness refused to talk, fearing retaliation from the gang members.
- keep quiet
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4 a conversation (n.) A2 Elementarya conversation between two or more people, often about something important.
an instance of spoken communication; a discussion or dialogue, often of a serious or purposeful nature.
ExampleMy boss wants to have a talk with me about my performance.
ExampleAfter the incident, the principal had a long talk with the students involved to explain the consequences of their actions.
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5 a lecture (n.) B1 Intermediatea short speech or presentation given to a group of people.
a formal or semi-formal presentation or lecture on a specific subject.
ExampleThe professor gave an interesting talk on the history of the city.
ExampleThe guest speaker delivered a fascinating talk regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on modern architectural design.
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6 gossip (n.) B2 Upper Intermediaterumours or stories that people are telling about someone.
informal social communication involving rumours, gossip, or speculation. Uncountable in this sense.
ExampleThere has been a lot of talk about the company closing down.
ExampleDespite the official denials, there was persistent talk in the corridors about a major restructuring of the executive board.
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7 empty words (n.) C1 Advanced Informalpromises or claims that someone makes but does not actually do.
boastful or promising speech that lacks substance or is not backed by action.
ExampleHe says he will help us, but I think it is just talk.
ExampleThe politician's promises of reform proved to be mere talk once the election cycle had concluded and the budget was finalised.
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.
From Middle English talk, talke (“conversation; discourse”), from the verb (see above).