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
A couple of years ago, the Spanish reggaetón star Saiko was talking with his friend’s stepdad, Walter, known for his spiritual wisdom and for being in touch with the metaphysical. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024 During his first year or two in Anaheim, Mizuhara talked softly and didn’t carry a big schtick. Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Billboard Japan talked with Hakos Baelz about the new album, ZODIAC, which represents the culmination of her musical activities. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2024 Heather begins talking to Daisy through the TV, showcasing some demonic quirks. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 If this reflection results in you truly feeling like this is the wrong decision, talk to your fiance and call it off. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 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
Noun
The announcement came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Tel Aviv for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the future of the war in Gaza. Cate Brown, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Paramount Global chief Bob Bakish, on the Q4 2023 earnings call last month, was asked about the reports of deal talks. Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 Israeli officials said ahead of this week’s talks that the broad proposal being discussed included a 42-day pause in fighting, in exchange for the release of 40 of the more than 100 hostages believed to be in Gaza. Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 But the talks with Allen turned in another direction, leaving Hortiz little choice but to move a player coming off perhaps his finest season for the sake of constructing a more complete roster with greater depth and less bulk at the top. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 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

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 28 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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