talk

1 of 2

verb

talked; talking; talks

intransitive verb

1
a
: to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken words or sign language : converse
b
: to convey information or communicate in any way (as with signs or sounds)
can make a trumpet talk
make the computer talk to the printer
2
: to use (a language) for conversing or communicating : speak
… the peculiar French patois that he talked.Aaron Copland
3
a
: to speak idly : prate
b
: gossip
c
: to reveal secret or confidential information
4
: to give a talk : lecture

transitive

1
: to deliver or express in speech : utter
2
: to make the subject of conversation or discourse : discuss
talk business
3
: to influence, affect, or cause by talking
talked them into going
4
: to use (a language) for conversing or communicating : speak
talker noun
plural talkers

talk

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act or an instance of talking : speech
2
: a way of speaking : language
3
: pointless or fruitless discussion : verbiage
4
: a formal discussion, negotiation, or exchange of views
often used in plural
5
6
: the topic of interested comment, conversation, or gossip
it's the talk of the town
7
b
: written analysis or discussion presented in an informal or conversational manner
8
: communicative sounds or signs resembling or functioning as talk
bird talk
Phrases
talk back
: to answer impertinently
talk sense
: to voice rational, logical, or sensible thoughts
talk through one's hat
: to voice irrational, illogical, or erroneous ideas
talk turkey
: to speak frankly or bluntly

Examples of talk in a Sentence

Verb She never talks at the meetings. He did most of the talking during dinner. He loves to hear himself talk. I think she's talking a lot of nonsense. I can't talk right now. I'm running late. They were talking in Spanish. We talked on the phone until midnight. Both sides in the dispute are now willing to talk. They are in the conference room talking business. She had laryngitis and couldn't talk. Noun the noted author's talk on the state of the modern novel what good will all this talk do when we need to take action now?
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Assistant Food Editor Danielle Dorsey talked with Wiegmann about the decision and has details about the space’s transition to the new bar concept called No Smoking. Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 The symphony and Coney Island management had talked off and on for the past decade about possible plans for the future, Smith said. Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 9 Mar. 2024 This news organization recently talked with Van Every about California’s real estate markets. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Which is why there’s a need for a 24/7 anonymous tip line that leads directly to Fair Food Program investigators available to talk in English, Spanish and Creole. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 The girls stayed up for about an hour longer talking and watching TV, according to the affidavit. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 And make one calm and kind attempt to talk boycotters from your side of the family off the ledge. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Listen And Give Feedback A leader’s ability to listen far outweighs their ability to talk, and their feedback is measured and balanced. Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Sitting backstage with her glittery show makeup already on, Rodrigo took a moment to talk to fans about her initiative. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Feb. 2024
Noun
This year’s conference had 600 attendees and featured a talk with Julian Castro, the former secretary of housing and urban development, a sign of the movement’s increasing professionalization and influence. Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 Yet people with knowledge of trade talks not authorized to speak publicly paint a different picture of Russell’s value at the deadline. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 The issue of a temporary pause vs. a permanent end to the fighting led to last weekend’s breakdown of talks held in Cairo. Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Burns arrived in Doha on Thursday night ahead of meetings with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Friday, having first traveled to Cairo for a round of talks with officials there. Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 But the sides haven’t been able to strike a deal in nine months of on-and-off talks, and Wilkins’ market has only increased over that time. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 One of those talks will be with Butler, who spent last April and May living in Las Vegas — while taking remote classes — to prepare for the NBA Draft before deciding to return to SDSU. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 The political tough talk can also gloss over the reality that transit crime accounts for just a tiny percentage of all crime, said Vincent Del Castillo, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a former chief of New York City’s transit police. Philip Marcelo, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Mar. 2024 In the latest round of talks, Senate Democrats have requested roughly an additional $1 billion for the federal food assistance program for women, infants and children, known as WIC. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'talk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English; akin to Old English talu tale

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of talk was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near talk

Cite this Entry

“Talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talk. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

talk

1 of 2 verb
1
: to express in speech
talk sense
2
: to speak about : discuss
talk business
3
: to influence, affect, or cause by talking
talked us into agreeing
4
: to use for communicating
talk sign language
5
a
: to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken words
b
: to communicate in any way
the computer talks to the printer
6
a
: to spread gossip
b
: to reveal secret information
tried to make the suspect talk
talker noun

talk

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act or an instance of talking
2
: a way of speaking
3
: pointless or useless discussion
all talk and no action
4
: a formal discussion or exchange of views : conference
5
6
: the topic of comment or gossip
it's the talk of the town

More from Merriam-Webster on talk

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