talk

If you do this, you use your voice to say words.

• The baby is learning to talk.
• He talked so quietly that I could hardly hear.
• Please stop talking during the film.

Similar words: speak

Common phrases: talk loudly, talk quietly, learn to talk

If you do this, you share thoughts or information with someone, usually by speaking.

• Can we talk tonight?
• I talked to my sister yesterday.
• They talk about their plans every morning.

How to use it: talk to/with someone (I talked with my neighbour after lunch.); talk about something (We talked about the weather.)

Similar words: speak, chat

Common phrases: talk to someone, talk with someone, talk about something

If you do this, you discuss a particular subject.

• Let’s talk business over lunch.
• They talked politics until midnight.
• We need to talk money before agreeing to anything.

How to use it: talk + topic (The two managers met to talk strategy.)

Similar words: discuss

Common phrases: talk business, talk politics, talk money

A conversation in which people exchange ideas or discuss something.

• We had a friendly talk.
• I need a private talk with you.
• Our talks helped us understand each other better.

How to use it: a talk with someone about something (I had a talk with Jo about the rent.)

Similar words: conversation, discussion

Common phrases: have a talk, serious talk, talk with someone

A speech given to a group to explain something or share information.

• She gave a short talk.
• We attended a talk on local history.
• His talks always include interesting pictures.

How to use it: a talk on/about something (He gave a talk on healthy eating.); give a talk to someone (She gave a talk to the students.)

Similar words: lecture, speech

Common phrases: give a talk, talk on something, short talk

The things someone says, especially their views, claims, or promises.

• His promises were just empty talk.
• I am tired of all this talk about change.
• Her brave talk did little to comfort us.

Similar words: words

Common phrases: empty talk, big talk, all talk

Things people are saying about something, although they may not be true or certain.

• There is talk of a strike.
• I heard talk about their secret wedding.
• The town was full of talk about the missing money.

How to use it: talk of/about something (There is talk of closing the school.)

Similar words: gossip, rumour

Common phrases: talk of something, talk about someone, idle talk