talk
//tɔːk//
informalForms
- present (v1)
- talk
- past (v2)
- talked
- past participle (v3)
- talked
- present participle
- talking
- 3rd person singular
- talks
- Plural
- talks
Definitions
1.To communicate, usually by means of speech.
- Let’s go to my office and talk. ― I like to talk with you, Ms. Weaver.
- Although I don't speak Chinese, I managed to talk with the villagers using signs and gestures.
- I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat with you.
2.To speak (a certain language).
- I prefer not to talk about it.
- How long did you talk with Tom?
- Tom doesn't want to talk to Mary.
3.Used to emphasise the importance, size, complexity etc. of the thing mentioned.(informal)
- Are you interested in the job? They're talking big money.
- We're not talking rocket science here: it should be easy.
4.To discuss; to talk about.(informal)
- They sat down to talk business.
- That's enough about work, let's talk holidays!
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.
- The musical is the talk of the town.
- She is the talk of the day.
Frequency
Overall
Very common· #149
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Very common
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Uncommon
Related words
Etymology
From Middle English talken, talkien, from Old English *tealcian (“to talk, chat”), from Proto-West Germanic *talkōn, from Proto-Germanic *talkōną (“to talk, chatter”), frequentative form of Proto-Germanic *talōną (“to count, recount, tell”), from Proto-Indo-European *dol-, *del- (“to aim, calculate, adjust, count”), equivalent to tell + -k.