talk-back

[ tawk-bak ]

noun

, Radio and Television.

1. a communications system enabling those in the studio to hear control-room personnel through a loudspeaker or headphones.

talk back

verb

1. to answer boldly or impudently
2. to conduct a telephone dialogue for immediate transmission over the air

noun

1. television radio a system of telephone links enabling spoken directions to be given during the production of a programme
2. 1. a broadcast telephone dialogue
   2. ( as modifier )

      a talkback show

Word History and Origins

Origin of talk-back¹

Noun use of verb phrase talk back

Idioms and Phrases

Also, answer back . Reply rudely or impertinently, as in She was always in trouble for talking back , or The teacher won't allow anyone to answer back to her . [Second half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Harper and Ray both highlighted the unconditional love they share with their dogs, with Ray noting, "They never talk back and they always want to hug you . . . it's such a beautiful circle of love" and Harper saying that his dogs teach him unconditional love "on a daily basis."

From Salon

“Someone is talking to you, but you can’t talk back to them,” Moss said, before cracking a smile.

From Los Angeles Times

“They would talk back to me more about how they were feeling about the interview as the interview was happening.”

From Los Angeles Times

The excited audience, eager to talk back to the characters, disrupted the performers’ timing.

From Los Angeles Times

All the talk back then was whether the Preds would unload star goalie Juuse Saros at the trade deadline.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• acknowledge
• argue
• claim
• defend
• deny
• explain
• plead
• resolve
• respond
• return
• say
• solve