dialogue

or di·a·log

[ dahy-uh-lawg, -log ]

noun

1. conversation between two or more persons.
2. the conversation between characters in a novel, drama, etc.
3. an exchange of ideas or opinions on a particular issue, especially a political or religious issue, with a view to reaching an amicable agreement or settlement.
4. a literary work in the form of a conversation:

   a dialogue of Plato.

verb (used without object)

, di·a·logued, di·a·logu·ing.

1. to carry on a dialogue; converse.
2. to discuss areas of disagreement frankly in order to resolve them.

verb (used with object)

, di·a·logued, di·a·logu·ing.

1. to put into the form of a dialogue.

dialogue

/ ˈdaɪəˌlɒɡ; ˌdaɪəˈlɒdʒɪk /

noun

1. conversation between two or more people
2. an exchange of opinions on a particular subject; discussion
3. the lines spoken by characters in drama or fiction
4. a particular passage of conversation in a literary or dramatic work
5. a literary composition in the form of a dialogue
6. a political discussion between representatives of two nations or groups

verb

1. tr to put into the form of a dialogue
2. intr to take part in a dialogue; converse

Derived Forms

• ˈdiaˌloguer, noun
• dialogic, adjective

Other Words From

• dia·loguer noun
• self-dia·log noun
• self-dia·logue noun
• under·dia·logue noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dialogue¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French dïalogue, Latin dialogus, from Greek diálogos; equivalent to dia- + -logue

Word History and Origins

Origin of dialogue¹

C13: from Old French dialoge, from Latin dialogus, from Greek dialogos, from dialegesthai to converse; see dialect

Example Sentences

We really want to hear and have this dialogue because this is new to everyone.

From Digiday

I think what needs to happen in this country is a dialogue and a conversation.

From Ozy

In particular, look through your soundbar’s menu for equalizer settings, presets like “movie” and “sports” mode, dialogue enhancers and volume levelers, or features like “virtual 3D” surround sound.

From Popular-Science

Los Angeles and San Diego school officials started a dialogue.

From Voice of San Diego

Even online, there can be a “back-and-forth dialogue between multiple people.”

From Science News For Students

Hitchcock has a few preliminary ideas for camera moves, and I make a few proposals about characterization and dialogue.

From The Daily Beast

Each time he mentions a story point or repeats an exchange of dialogue, he glances up to see if she's smiling.

From The Daily Beast

It opens with a bombastic set piece, but it was far less compelling than many of the little, dialogue-driven conflicts that arose.

From The Daily Beast

It has been incredible to explore so many artistic avenues when it comes to having a dialogue about a very serious disease.

From The Daily Beast

Nor, however, did it opt for opening a dialogue with the civil society.

From The Daily Beast

His Shop is the Randenvous of spitting, where men dialogue with their noses, and their conversation is smoke.

From Project Gutenberg

That fancy dialogue about expresses the legal value of the evidence for this important miracle.

From Project Gutenberg

Another silence succeeded this short dialogue, which was again broken by the stranger.

From Project Gutenberg

Compare this passage with the long dialogue between Troilus and Pandarus, in the latter part of the first book of Troilus.

From Project Gutenberg

And the difficulty of according the narrative and the dialogue (in a work in the third person) is extreme.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• communication
• conference
• conversation
• dialog
• discourse
• discussion
• exchange