talk

Fetched 2026-10-27 (live).

Datamuse reports no synonyms or antonyms for this word.

Verb

1. To communicate, usually by means of speech.
   • Let's sit down and talk.
   • Although I don't speak Chinese, I managed to talk with the villagers using signs and gestures.
2. To discuss; to talk about.
   • They sat down to talk business.
   • That's enough about work, let's talk holidays!
3. To speak (a certain language).
   • We talk French sometimes.
4. Used to emphasise the importance, size, complexity etc. of the thing mentioned.
   • Are you interested in the job? They're talking big money.
   • We're not talking rocket science here: it should be easy.
5. To confess, especially implicating others.
   • Suppose he talks?
   • She can be relied upon not to talk.
   • They tried to make me talk.
6. To criticize someone for something of which one is guilty oneself.
   • I am not the one to talk.
   • She is a fine one to talk.
   • You should talk.
   • Look who's talking.
7. To gossip; to create scandal.
   • People will talk.
   • Aren't you afraid the neighbours will talk?
8. To manifest outwardly in speech, as opposed to reality or action.
9. To influence someone to express something, especially a particular stance or viewpoint or in a particular manner.
   • That's not like you at all, Jared. The drugs are talking. Snap out of it!

Noun

1. A conversation or discussion; usually serious, but informal.
   • We need to have a talk about your homework.
2. A lecture.
   • There is a talk on Shakespeare tonight.
3. Gossip; rumour.
   • There's been talk lately about the two of them.
4. A major topic of social discussion.
   • She is the talk of the day.
   • The musical is the talk of the town.
5. A customary conversation by parent(s) or guardian(s) with their (often teenage) child about a reality of life; in particular: A customary conversation in which parent(s) explain sexual intercourse to their child.
   • Have you had the talk with Jay yet? I found a condom in his room.
6. A customary conversation in which parent(s) explain sexual intercourse to their child.
   • Have you had the talk with Jay yet? I found a condom in his room.
7. A customary conversation in which the parent(s) of a black child explain the racism and violence they may face, especially when interacting with police, and strategies to manage it.
8. Empty boasting, promises or claims.
   • The party leader's speech was all talk.
9. Meeting to discuss a particular matter.
   • The leaders of the G8 nations are currently in talks over nuclear weapons.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wiktionary) · cached copy, not a rewrite.