talkative

[ taw-kuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. inclined to talk a great deal:

   One drink and she became very talkative.

   Synonyms: prolix, verbose, wordy

talkative

/ ˈtɔːkətɪv /

adjective

1. given to talking a great deal

Derived Forms

• ˈtalkatively, adverb
• ˈtalkativeness, noun

Other Words From

• talka·tive·ly adverb
• talka·tive·ness noun
• non·talka·tive adjective
• non·talka·tive·ly adverb
• non·talka·tive·ness noun
• over·talka·tive adjective
• over·talka·tive·ly adverb
• over·talka·tive·ness noun
• un·talka·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of talkative¹

A late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; talk, -ative

Synonym Study

Talkative, garrulous, loquacious characterize a person who talks a great deal. Talkative is a neutral or mildly unfavorable word applied to a person who is inclined to talk a great deal, sometimes without significance: a talkative child. The garrulous person talks with wearisome persistence, usually about personal and trivial things: a garrulous old man. A loquacious person, intending to be sociable, talks continuously and at length: a loquacious host.

Example Sentences

Normally talkative, the teen was quiet.

From Salon

Despite his fearsome reputation, Kanu is unexpectedly talkative.

From BBC

"He was always very happy and talkative, the joker of the family and always loved to outsmart us with a smile."

From BBC

"Bhim loved to laugh. He was always very happy and talkative, the joker of the family and always loved to outsmart us with a smile."

From BBC

Bob Clendenin is funny as a needy, talkative pilot, and Gonzalo Menendez earns his hisses as a crooked cop.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• articulate
• chatty
• effusive
• garrulous
• glib
• loquacious
• voluble