Words for Conversation
Everyday words that make talking easier and clearer.
Words that earn their place in ordinary speech: agreeing, disagreeing, hedging, joking and steering a conversation without sounding like an essay.
27 words
banter
noun
Light teasing repartee.
rapport
noun
A relationship of mutual understanding or trust and agreement between people.
tangent
noun
A straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point.
anecdote
noun
Short account of an incident (especially a biographical one).
quip
verb
Make jokes or quips.
“The students were gagging during dinner”
interject
verb
To insert between other elements.
“She interjected clever remarks”
digress
verb
Lose clarity or turn aside especially from the main subject of attention or course of argument in writing, thinking, or speaking.
“She always digresses when telling a story”
blunt
verb
Make less intense.
“blunted emotions”
tactful
adjective
Having or showing a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others.
“she was tactful enough not to shatter his illusion”
sarcasm
noun
Witty language used to convey insults or scorn.
“he used sarcasm to upset his opponent”
humour
noun
A characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling.
“whether he praised or cursed me depended on his temper at the time”
gossip
noun
Light informal conversation for social occasions.
interrupt
verb
Make a break in.
“We interrupt the program for the following messages”
agree
verb
Be in accord; be in agreement.
“We agreed on the terms of the settlement”
disagree
verb
Be of different opinions.
“I beg to differ!”
clarify
verb
Make clear and (more) comprehensible.
“clarify the mystery surrounding her death”
hedge
noun
A fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes.
exaggerate
verb
To enlarge beyond bounds or the truth.
“tended to romanticize and exaggerate this `gracious Old South' imagery”
understate
verb
Represent as less significant or important.
paraphrase
noun
Rewording for the purpose of clarification.
confide
verb
Reveal in private; tell confidentially.
persuade
verb
Win approval or support for.
“Carry all before one”
concede
verb
Admit (to a wrongdoing).
“She confessed that she had taken the money”
polite
adjective
Showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
awkward
adjective
Lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance.
“an awkward dancer”
chatter
verb
Click repeatedly or uncontrollably.
“Chattering teeth”
mumble
verb
Talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice.