Talk: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’ฌ
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talk

 

[tษ”หk ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

communication

To communicate by speaking, to have a conversation.

Synonyms

chat, converse, speak.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
talk

General word for any kind of verbal communication. Can be used in both formal and informal settings.

  • We need to talk about your performance
  • He likes to talk about his travels
speak

More formal than 'talk', used in both giving speeches and regular conversation. Can imply a one-sided communication in some contexts.

  • Can you speak to the manager? She will speak at the conference next week
chat

Informal conversation, usually casual and friendly. Often used for light, non-serious topics.

  • Let's chat over a cup of coffee
  • They were chatting about their weekend plans
converse

Formal or serious conversation. This term is more commonly used in intellectual or academic discussions.

  • They conversed about the implications of the new law
  • She enjoys conversing with her colleagues about research

Examples of usage

  • Let's talk about the upcoming project.
  • I need to talk to you about something important.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A conversation or discussion.

Synonyms

chat, conversation, discussion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
talk

General, informal communication or speech about different topics.

  • We need to talk about your grades
  • Let's talk about the plans for the weekend
conversation

A formal or informal exchange of ideas, typically more structured and meaningful.

  • The conversation at the party was very engaging
  • I overheard a fascinating conversation between two scientists
discussion

Deliberation or debate, often involving multiple people and focusing on a specific subject.

  • We had a discussion about the company's new policy
  • The discussion in the meeting took longer than expected
chat

Casual or light conversation, often used in friendly or social contexts.

  • Let's chat over coffee
  • I had a nice chat with a colleague during lunch

Examples of usage

  • I had a talk with my boss about my performance at work.
  • We need to have a talk about our relationship.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'talk' comes from the Old English 'tale,' which also means narrative or speech.
  • It has roots in various Germanic languages, showing its long-standing history in human communication.
  • In Middle English, the word evolved to 'talken,' reflecting the informal nature of everyday conversation.

Cultural Significance

  • Conversational skills are considered essential in many cultures for building relationships and communities.
  • In various traditions, storytelling is a form of talk that passes down history and values from generation to generation.
  • Public speaking, a polished form of talking, has been a valued skill since ancient times, influencing leaders and changemakers.

Psychology

  • Talking can significantly impact mental health, providing a valuable outlet for emotions and stresses.
  • Conversational exchanges help build empathy and understanding between individuals.
  • Research shows that discussing problems can lead to better solutions than thinking alone, highlighting the social nature of human thought.

Language Development

  • Children typically start talking around their first birthday, marking an important developmental milestone.
  • Interactive talk, like asking children questions, greatly enhances their language skills and comprehension.
  • Different cultures prioritize different styles of talk, with some valuing open debate and others focusing on respect and politeness.

Technology

  • In the digital age, talking has evolved to include voice messaging and video calls, bridging distances between people.
  • Speech recognition technology has advanced to allow devices to understand and respond to spoken commands.
  • Social media platforms encourage 'talk' through written communication, transforming how conversations take place globally.

Translations

Translations of the word "talk" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น falar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเคพเคค เค•เคฐเคจเคพ (baat karna)

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช sprechen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ berbicara

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณะพะฒะพั€ะธั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ mรณwiฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฉฑใ™ (ใฏใชใ™, hanasu)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท parler

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ hablar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท konuลŸmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋งํ•˜๋‹ค (malhada)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุชุญุฏุซ (yatahadath)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mluvit

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hovoriลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฏด่ฏ (shuลhuร )

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ govoriti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ tala

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัำฉะนะปะตัƒ (sรถyleu)

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒฃแƒ‘แƒแƒ แƒ˜ (saubari)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ danฤฑลŸmaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ hablar

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,003, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.