converse

1 of 4

verb

con·​verse kən-ˈvərs How to pronounce converse (audio)
conversed; conversing; converses
Synonyms of conversenext

intransitive verb

1
: to exchange thoughts and opinions in spoken words or sign language : talk
We spent a few minutes conversing about the weather.
The leaders were bellowing so loudly that you had to shout to converse with your dinner partner.—Christopher Buckley
2
archaic : to have acquaintance or familiarity : to become occupied or engaged
… admonished them to study … the universe, to converse with nature, to observe the heavenly influences; …—Robert Ainsworth
… a secluded scholar, living in his study and conversing almost exclusively with books.—Cornelius C. Felton
converser
kən-ˈvər-sər How to pronounce converse (audio)
noun
plural conversers

converse

2 of 4

noun (1)

con·​verse ˈkän-ˌvərs How to pronounce converse (audio)
1
dated : conversation
… Mrs Walker, like many other mothers, was apt to be more free in converse with her daughter than she was with her son.—Anthony Trollope
Graham Bretton had dined with us that day; he had shone both in converse and looks.—Charlotte Brontë
2
archaic : social interaction

converse

3 of 4

noun (2)

con·​verse ˈkän-ˌvərs How to pronounce converse (audio)
: something reversed in order, relation, or action: such as
a
: a theorem formed by interchanging the hypothesis and conclusion of a given theorem
b
: a proposition obtained by interchange of the subject and predicate of a given proposition
"No P is S " is the converse of "no S is P. "

converse

4 of 4

adjective

con·​verse kən-ˈvərs How to pronounce converse (audio) ˈkän-ˌvərs How to pronounce converse (audio)
1
: reversed in order, relation, or action
Socrates, while he said that the true tragic writer was also an artist in comedy, did not lay down the converse proposition that the true comic writer is also an artist in tragedy.—Samuel Alexander
2
: being a logical or mathematical converse
the converse theorem

Synonyms

Verb

Noun (1)

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of converse in a Sentence

Noun (1) ideally, the college classroom should be a place of intellectual converse between student and teacher They conversed quietly in the corner of the room. At home we often converse in Spanish. Adjective One must also consider the converse case.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Footage of a man conversing with his foster dog about the pup not going back to the shelter has melted hearts online. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 Lustig presents his slasher, told entirely from the perspective of Frank Zito (Joe Spinell), a killer with a penchant for scalping women and conversing with his mannequins, from a gritty, psychological perspective. —Meagan Navarro, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
James Devaney Vivienne, of course, joined Jolie on opening night of The Outsiders, dressing on-theme in a navy utilitarian jumpsuit and converse. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 21 Sep. 2024 Later, Lacy watches inquisitively as Janet converses with Avi (Elias Koteas), the leader of a cultish theatrical troupe who sets his sights on her. —Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for converse 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to live (with), from Anglo-French converser, from Latin conversari

Noun (1)

Middle English convers, from Anglo-French converse, from converser

Noun (2) and Adjective

Latin conversus, past participle of convertere — see convert entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1570, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of converse was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing converse

Dictionary Entries Near converse

conversazione

converse

conversely

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Converse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/converse. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

converse

1 of 3 verb
con·​verse kən-ˈvərs How to pronounce converse (audio)
conversed; conversing
: to engage in conversation : talk
converser noun

converse

2 of 3 noun
con·​verse ˈkän-ˌvərs How to pronounce converse (audio)
: something that is the opposite of something else

converse

3 of 3 adjective
con·​verse kən-ˈvərs How to pronounce converse (audio)
ˈkän-ˌvərs
: reversed in order, relation, or action
conversely adverb
Etymology

Verb

Middle English conversen "to live with," from early French converser (same meaning), from Latin conversari "to pass one's life, be associated with," derived from convertere "to turn around, change," from con- "with, together" and vertere "to turn" — related to anniversary, converse entry 3, controversy, divert, reverse, universe, vertical, versatile, vice versa

Adjective

from Latin conversus, past participle of convertere "to turn around, change," from con- "with, together" and vertere "to turn" — related to converse entry 1

More from Merriam-Webster on converse

Nglish: Translation of converse for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of converse for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about converse

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