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 verb

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
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
Arizona Republic Glendale police arrested two men suspected of following a man who withdrew $50,000 in cash to buy a truck before the money was grabbed from the car while the man was talking with the seller. Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024 In this week's episode of Truly Texan, Doggett talks in-depth about her experience with multiple sclerosis as well as what is was like to be a patient for once. Hannah Ortega, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
The same goes for understanding culture—talk to your employees, ask them about their customs, have healthy discussions on differences and learn how to do it their way. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 David Heyman, who developed the films, was talks to do the same. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for talk 

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

15th 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 27 Nov. 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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