Converse vs. Conversation — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 24, 2024
"Converse" is a verb meaning to talk or engage in conversation, while "conversation" is a noun referring to the act of talking between two or more people.
Difference Between Converse and Conversation
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
To converse involves the act of speaking and exchanging ideas or thoughts, often in an informal setting; whereas a conversation is the event or instance in which this exchange takes place.
Converse is a verb that describes the action of participating in dialogue, highlighting the process of communication, whereas conversation is the noun that describes the dialogue itself, focusing on the content and structure of the exchange.
When people converse, they actively engage in the process of talking and listening, implying a two-way communication; on the other hand, a conversation can refer to both the ongoing act and the abstract concept of verbal exchange.
You can use the verb converse to describe what people are doing in the moment (e.g., They converse quietly in the corner), while you use the noun conversation to refer to the specific discussion they are having (e.g., Their conversation covered many topics).
The verb converse typically connotes a more formal or deliberate form of communication compared to casual chatting, whereas conversation can encompass both deep, meaningful exchanges and light, informal talk.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Noun
Definition
To engage in spoken exchange
The act or instance of talking
Usage
Describes the act of speaking
Describes the event or content of speaking
Formality
Can be formal or informal
Generally neutral, varies by context
Examples
"They converse about literature."
"Their conversation lasted hours."
Compare with Definitions
Converse
To talk informally with someone.
We could sit and converse for hours about our favorite books.
Conversation
A structured discussion on specific topics.
The business meeting included a detailed conversation about marketing strategies.
Converse
To communicate verbally in an exchange.
He prefers to converse face-to-face rather than through emails.
Conversation
An informal chat or discussion.
During the break, they had a brief conversation about the weather.
Converse
To engage in dialogue.
The delegates will converse on various global issues.
Conversation
A spoken exchange between two or more people.
The conversation at dinner was lively and engaging.
Converse
To interact through spoken words.
The strangers began to converse amiably during the flight.
Conversation
An instance of communicating ideas verbally.
Their first conversation laid the groundwork for a strong friendship.
Converse
To participate in a discussion.
They often converse about scientific theories.
Conversation
The act of talking and discussing various subjects.
Our conversation drifted from politics to sports.
Converse
To engage in an exchange of thoughts and feelings by means of speech or sign language.
Conversation
Conversation is interactive communication between two or more people. The development of conversational skills and etiquette is an important part of socialization.
Converse
(Archaic) To interact socially with others; associate.
Conversation
A talk, especially an informal one, between two or more people, in which news and ideas are exchanged
She picked up the phone and held a conversation in French
The two men were deep in conversation
Converse
An interchange of thoughts and feelings by means of speech or sign language; conversation.
Conversation
The exchange of thoughts and feelings by means of speech or sign language
Gifted in the art of conversation.
Converse
Social interaction.
Conversation
An instance of this
Held a long conversation on the subject.
Converse
Something that has been reversed; an opposite.
Conversation
Expression and exchange of individual ideas through talking with other people; also, a set instance or occasion of such talking.
I had an interesting conversation with Nicolas yesterday about how much he's getting paid.
Converse
(Logic) A proposition obtained by conversion.
Conversation
(fencing) The back-and-forth play of the blades in a bout.
Converse
Reversed, as in position, order, or action; contrary.
Conversation
The protocol-based interaction between systems processing a transaction.
Converse
To talk; to engage in conversation.
Conversation
(obsolete) Interaction; commerce or intercourse with other people; dealing with others.
Converse
(followed by with) To keep company; to hold intimate intercourse; to commune.
Conversation
(archaic) Behaviour, the way one conducts oneself; a person's way of life.
Converse
(obsolete) To have knowledge of (a thing), from long intercourse or study.
Conversation
(obsolete) Sexual intercourse.
Criminal conversation
Converse
Free verbal interchange of thoughts or views; conversation; chat.
Conversation
(obsolete) Engagement with a specific subject, idea, field of study etc.
Converse
The opposite or reverse.
Conversation
To engage in conversation (with).
Converse
(logic) Of a proposition or theorem of the form: given that "If A is true, then B is true", then "If B is true, then A is true.".
All trees are plants, but the converse, that all plants are trees, is not true.
Conversation
General course of conduct; behavior.
Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel.
Converse
(semantics) One of a pair of terms that name or describe a relationship from opposite perspectives; converse antonym; relational antonym.
Conversation
Familiar intercourse; intimate fellowship or association; close acquaintance.
I set down, out of long experience in business and much conversation in books, what I thought pertinent to this business.
Converse
Opposite; reversed in order or relation; reciprocal
A converse proposition
Conversation
Commerce; intercourse; traffic.
All traffic and mutual conversation.
Converse
To keep company; to hold intimate intercourse; to commune; - followed by with.
To seek the distant hills, and there converseWith nature.
Conversing with the world, we use the world's fashions.
But to converse with heaven -This is not easy.
Conversation
Colloquial discourse; oral interchange of sentiments and observations; informal dialogue.
The influence exercised by his [Johnson's] conversation was altogether without a parallel.
Converse
To engage in familiar colloquy; to interchange thoughts and opinions in a free, informal manner; to chat; - followed by with before a person; by on, about, concerning, etc., before a thing.
CompanionsThat do converse and waste the time together.
We had conversed so often on that subject.
Conversation
Sexual intercourse; as, criminal conversation.
Converse
To have knowledge of, from long intercourse or study; - said of things.
According as the objects they converse with afford greater or less variety.
Conversation
The use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
Converse
Frequent intercourse; familiar communion; intimate association.
"T is but to holdConverse with Nature's charms, and view her stores unrolled.
Converse
Familiar discourse; free interchange of thoughts or views; conversation; chat.
Formed by thy converse happily to steerFrom grave to gay, from lively to severe.
Converse
A proposition which arises from interchanging the terms of another, as by putting the predicate for the subject, and the subject for the predicate; as, no virtue is vice, no vice is virtue.
Converse
A proposition in which, after a conclusion from something supposed has been drawn, the order is inverted, making the conclusion the supposition or premises, what was first supposed becoming now the conclusion or inference. Thus, if two sides of a sides of a triangle are equal, the angles opposite the sides are equal; and the converse is true, i.e., if these angles are equal, the two sides are equal.
Converse
Turned about; reversed in order or relation; reciprocal; as, a converse proposition.
Converse
A proposition obtained by conversion
Converse
Carry on a conversation
Converse
Of words so related that one reverses the relation denoted by the other;
`parental' and `filial' are converse terms
Converse
Turned about in order or relation;
Transposed letters
Common Curiosities
How can one improve their ability to converse?
Practicing active listening and engaging thoughtfully with others can improve one's ability to converse effectively.
What is the difference between 'converse' and 'have a conversation'?
"Converse" is the action of talking, while "have a conversation" implies participating in a specific dialogue or discussion.
Can 'conversation' refer to non-verbal communication?
Typically, "conversation" refers to verbal communication, but the term can broadly include non-verbal cues that contribute to the dialogue.
Can 'converse' be used in formal contexts?
Yes, "converse" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it often carries a slightly more formal tone.
What are the key components of a good conversation?
Good conversations typically involve clear communication, mutual respect, and active engagement from all participants.
What makes a conversation meaningful?
A conversation becomes meaningful when it involves deep exchanges of ideas, emotional honesty, and connections that enrich the participants' understanding or relationship.
Is a conversation always between two people?
No, a conversation can occur between two or more individuals.
Does conversing require specific skills?
Yes, conversing effectively requires skills such as active listening, clear articulation, and the ability to respond thoughtfully.
Are there different types of conversations?
Yes, there are many types, including casual chats, debates, interviews, and discussions, each with its own style and purpose.
What is conversational style?
Conversational style refers to the manner or tone in which people communicate during conversations, which can vary widely between individuals and cultures.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Machinery vs. Mechanism
Next Comparison
Legitimate vs. AuthenticAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
