talk en · VERB · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- /tɔʊ̯k/ African-American Vernacular
- tôk (Received-Pronunciation)
- /taːk/ (Northumbria)
- (California) audio
- [tʰɑk] (General-American, cot-caught-merger, dialectal) of Canada
- /tɑk/ (General-American, cot-caught-merger, dialectal) of Canada
- (Southern-England) audio
- /tɔk/ (General-American) without the cot–caught merger
- /tɒk/ (Canada, dialectal) of the US
- /tɔk/ (Scotland)
- /tɔːk/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- audio Connecticut
- /toːk/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
- [tʰäk] (General-American, cot-caught-merger, dialectal) of Canada
- (London) audio
- [tʰoːk] (British, Multicultural-London-English, Southern, Standard)
- tŏk (General-American, cot-caught-merger, dialectal) of Canada
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. Cognates Cognate with Low German taalken (“to chatter, gossip, talk”). Related also to Bavarian zoin (“to pay”), Cimbrian zaln (“to pay”), Dutch talen (“to care, long; to speak; to say”), German zahlen (“to pay”), Mòcheno zoln (“to pay”), Danish and Norwegian Bokmål tale (“to talk, speak”), Faroese, Icelandic, and Swedish tala (“to speak, talk”), Norwegian Nynorsk tala (“to speak, talk”); also Latin dolus (“deceit, deception, fraud, guile, treachery, trickery; malice; artifice, device, stratagem”), Ancient Greek δόλος (dólos, “deceit, trick; wiles; bait”), Armenian տող (toġ, “line (in a text)”). More at tale. Despite the surface similarity, unrelated to Proto-Indo-European *telkʷ- (“to talk”) (due to Grimm's law), which is the source of loquacious.
Meanings
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(intransitive) To communicate, usually by means of speech.
Mr. Campion appeared suitably impressed and she warmed to him. He was very easy to talk to with those long clown lines in his pale face, a natural goon, born rather too early she suspected.
1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 5, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:“[…] They talk of you as if you were Croesus—and I expect the beggars sponge on you unconscionably.” And Vickers launched forth into a tirade very different from his platform utterances. He spoke with extreme contempt of the dense stupidity exhibited on all occasions by the working classes.
1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XXV, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC, page 203:Let’s go to my office and talk. ― I like to talk with you, Ms. Weaver.
2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat with you.
c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii], page 166:Let's sit down and talk.
Then he commenced to talk, really talk. and inside of two flaps of a herring's fin he had me mesmerized, like Eben Holt's boy at the town hall show. He talked about the ills of humanity, and the glories of health and Nature and service and land knows what all. […] It was a chance he was offering me, a wonderful, eighteen carat, solid gold chance.
1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter IV, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC, page 99:Although I don't speak Chinese, I managed to talk with the villagers using signs and gestures.
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(informal, transitive) To discuss; to talk about.
They sat down to talk business.
That's enough about work, let's talk holidays!
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(transitive) To speak (a certain language).
We talk French sometimes.
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(informal, transitive, used in progressive tenses) Used to emphasise the importance, size, complexity etc. of the thing mentioned.
We're not talking rocket science here: it should be easy.
Are you interested in the job? They're talking big money.
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(intransitive, slang) To confess, especially implicating others.
They tried to make me talk.
She can be relied upon not to talk.
Suppose he talks?
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(intransitive) To criticize someone for something of which one is guilty oneself.
Look who's talking.
She is a fine one to talk.
You should talk.
I am not the one to talk.
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(intransitive) To gossip; to create scandal.
Aren't you afraid the neighbours will talk?
People will talk.
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(transitive) To manifest outwardly in speech, as opposed to reality or action.
Remember that Christ and Christianity may not always be the same thing; e.g. Jerry Falwell talks "Christianity" but practices hatred […] which is diametrically opposed to what Jesus really taught.
1979 December 22, S. J. Harris, “Life And Spirit”, in Gay Community News, volume 2, number 22, page 5:
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(informal, used in progressive tenses) To influence someone to express something, especially a particular stance or viewpoint or in a particular manner.
That's not like you at all, Jared. The drugs are talking. Snap out of it!
"So, are you going to give up all this good living and easy money and come fly for the Russians?" "Hello no. I told you that yesterday." "That was your wallet talking. The shooting has started. Now I appeal to your patriotism, your manhood, your sense of duty."
2013, Stephen Coonts, Fortunes of War:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| taulke | alternative, obsolete | lexicographic | |
| talks | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| talkest | Number=Sing, Person=2, Tense=Pres | archaic | lexicographic |
| talkedst | Number=Sing, Person=2, Tense=Past | archaic | lexicographic |
| talke | alternative, obsolete | lexicographic | |
| talketh | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | archaic | lexicographic |
| talking | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| talked | Number=Plur, Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| talked | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| talked | Number=Sing, Person=2, Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| talked | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| talked | Mood=Sub, Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| talked | Number=Sing, Person=1, Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| talked | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| talk | Number=Plur, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| talk | VerbForm=Inf | lexicographic | |
| talk | Mood=Sub, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| talk | Number=Sing, Person=1, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| talk | Mood=Imp, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| talk | Number=Sing, Person=2, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |
Coordinates
Deriveds
talk round · talk like a book · talkaholic · like talking to a wall · talk a good game · talk one's way out of · talk around · talk out of one's arse · talk through one's nose · overtalk · talkathon · talk out of one's ass · talking board · talk nasty · talking film · you should talk · sleep-talk · fast-talk · talk to God · talk down · talk down to · talk out of one's ear · talk out one's ass · talk someone's head off · talk out · backtalk · talk dirty · talk at · nontalking · talk about the weather · talk someone out of something · you can talk · talk in circles · knock-and-talk · talking phase · talk and die syndrome · talk the ears off a donkey · talk shop · crazy talk · talk everything · shit-talking · now you're talking · talk through one's hat · talk to God on the big white telephone · talk turkey · you don't know what you're talking about · talk the hind leg off a donkey · talking catfish · talking-point · talk softly and carry a big stick · talkee · hark who's talking · talkative · talk against time · talk back · smooth talking · talky · talk trash · bad-talk · sweet-talk · talk someone's leg off · untalked · talk like an apothecary · talk the legs off a pot · talk out of · double-talk · talk to Ralph on the big white telephone · talk the hind legs off a donkey · talking to · sleeptalk · talk truth to power · talk sense · betalk · if these walls could talk · talk the talk · look who's talking · talk aloud protocol · talk the ears off someone · talk to · talking-drummer · talk over · talk over someone's head · talkable · talk up · talking stick · talk to the fist · talkfest · one to talk · you can't talk · talk through · like talking to a brick wall · talkee-talkee · talk a blue streak · on talking terms · intertalk · talk the leg off the Lamb of God · talk to oneself · talk someone's ear off · ve haf vays of making you talk · talkaholism · talk a mile a minute · talking movie · talk to the hand 'cause the face ain't listening · talk someone into something · trash-talk · I don't want to talk about it · talkworthy · talk shite · push-to-talk · untalk · talk big · smooth-talking · mistalk · talk to the hand · talk out of turn · talk someone's arm off · outtalk · talk smack · talk of · talk into · talk out of school · talk of the devil · talker · talk a big game · talk past · smooth talk · talk cock · talk-aloud protocol · talk about · talk to a brick wall · talking picture · talk shit · press-to-talk · you shouldn't talk · talk fast and loose · talk someone under the table · talk through one's ass
Hyponyms
accuse · shout · temporize · tattle · leak · yell · question · expose · alert · argue · reveal · DM · uncover · message · squawk · inform · report · negotiate · snitch · lecture · comment
Relateds
Synonyms
let on · write up · speechify · orate · speak · make known · klatch · chat · tell · say · communicate · dictate
Translations (208)
khb ᦔᦱᧅ (to communicate by speech) · ko 이야기하다 (to communicate by speech) · orv говорити (to communicate by speech) · ca rallar (to communicate by speech) · mk зборува (to communicate by speech) · sh govòriti (to communicate by speech) · uz soʻzlashmoq (to communicate by speech) · mn ярих (to communicate by speech) · ja しゃべる (to communicate by speech) · syl ꠉꠙ ꠇꠞꠣ (to communicate by speech) · tg гап задан (to communicate by speech) · ru разгова́ривать (to communicate by speech) · dsb powědaś (to communicate by speech) · oj giigido (to communicate by speech) · fur fevelâ (to communicate by speech) · tg сухбат кардан (to communicate by speech) · el συνομιλώ (to communicate by speech) · lmy kajalla (to communicate by speech) · tr konuşmak (to communicate by speech) · dsb powěźeś (to communicate by speech) · kmr axaftin (to communicate by speech) · tyz cảng cỏ (to communicate by speech) · ckb ئەدوێنێت (to communicate by speech) · lmy haʼnewe (to communicate by speech) · sq flas (to communicate by speech) · uz gapirishmoq (to communicate by speech) · hu beszélget (to communicate by speech) · cmn 講 /讲 (to communicate by speech) · kk сойлесу (to communicate by speech) · ps خبرې کول (to communicate by speech) · fy prate (to communicate by speech) · hi बोलना (to communicate by speech) · bn বলা (to communicate by speech) · tl mag-usap (to communicate by speech) · mi kōrero (to communicate by speech) · be размаўля́ць (to communicate by speech) · id bicara (to communicate by speech) · fi viestiä (to communicate by other means than speech) · de sprechen (to communicate by speech) · fi puhua (to communicate by other means than speech) · mnc ᡤᡳᠰᡠᡵᡝᠮᠪᡳ (to communicate by speech) · el μιλώ (to communicate by speech) · vi nói được (to communicate by speech) · mk говори (to communicate by speech) · uz gaplashmoq (to communicate by speech) · ta தொடர் (to communicate by other means than speech) · ko 말하다 (to communicate by speech) · th สนทนา (to communicate by speech) · ru говори́ть (to communicate by speech) · cu говорити (to communicate by speech) · lo ຄຸຍ (to communicate by speech) · sv tala (to communicate by speech) · my ပြော (to communicate by speech) · pt falar (to communicate by speech) · io parolar (to communicate by speech) · is ávarpa (to communicate by speech) · ru бесе́довать (to communicate by speech) · mba ikagi (to communicate by speech) · th กล่าว (to communicate by speech) · da fortælle (to communicate by speech) · hu beszél (to communicate by speech) · te మాట్లాడు (to communicate by speech) · qu yawnay (to communicate by speech) · cs hovořit (to communicate by speech) · vi trò chuyện (to communicate by speech) · la for (to communicate by other means than speech) · hi बात करना (to communicate by speech) · yrl purungitá (to communicate by speech) · arq هدر (to communicate by speech) · ug ئېيتماق (to communicate by speech) · enm talken (to communicate by speech) · uk розмовля́ти (to communicate by speech) · ml മിണ്ടുക (to communicate by speech) · ky сүйлөө (to communicate by speech) · as কথা বতৰা (to communicate by speech) · he שׂוֹחֵחַ (to communicate by speech) · ru болта́ть (to communicate by speech) · khb ᦀᦴᧉ (to communicate by speech) · es hablar (to communicate by speech) · tt сөйләргә (to communicate by speech) · th คุย (to communicate by speech) · sv orera (to communicate by speech) · tg ҳарф задан (to communicate by speech) · yi רעדן (to communicate by speech) · cmn 說話 /说话 (to communicate by speech) · vi nói chuyện (to communicate by speech) · id bincang (to communicate by speech) · ar تَحَدَّثَ (to communicate by speech) · cs mluvit (to communicate by speech) · lg okwogela (to communicate by speech) · la for (to communicate by speech) · ist favalà (to communicate by speech) · as কথা পতা (to communicate by speech) · tl magsalita (to communicate by speech) · ug سۆزلىمەك (to communicate by speech) · nb snakke (to communicate by speech) · sk hovoriť (to communicate by speech) · nl praten (to communicate by speech) · tyz phuối (to communicate by speech) · sv snacka (to communicate by speech) · fa-ira سُخَن گُفْتَن (to communicate by speech) · cu ⰳⱁⰲⱁⱃⰻⱅⰹ (to communicate by speech) · fr bavarder (to communicate by speech) · sa भाषते (to communicate by speech) · yue 溝通 /沟通 (to communicate by other means than speech) · fa-ira حَرْف زَدَن (to communicate by speech) · sl govoriti (to communicate by speech) · sv babbla (to communicate by speech) · th พูด (to communicate by speech) · is tala (to communicate by speech) · nb preke (to communicate by speech) · uk говори́ти (to communicate by speech) · da tale (to communicate by speech) · ca xerrar (to communicate by speech) · mr बोलणे (to communicate by speech) · hy խոսել (to communicate by speech) · lo ກ່າວ (to communicate by speech) · be гавары́ць (to communicate by speech) · ar تَكَلَّمَ (to communicate by speech) · eo paroli (to communicate by speech) · ml സംസാരിക്കുക (to communicate by speech) · arq حكى (to communicate by speech) · km និយាយ (to communicate by speech) · lmy panewe (to communicate by speech) · la fabulor (to communicate by speech) · ml പറയുക (to communicate by speech) · cmn 説 /说 (to communicate by speech) · my မြွက် (to communicate by speech) · pl porozmawiać (to communicate by speech) · acw اتْكَلَّم (to communicate by speech) · zdj urongoza (to communicate by speech) · acw هَرَج (to communicate by speech) · ta தொடர்பு கொள் (to communicate by other means than speech) · nod ᩋᩪ᩶ (to communicate by speech) · tk sözlemek (to communicate by speech) · enm talkien (to communicate by speech) · syl ꠝꠣꠔ ꠇꠕꠣ (to communicate by speech) · qu rimay (to communicate by speech) · sh гово̀рити (to communicate by speech) · ang sprecan (to communicate by speech) · pt conversar (to communicate by speech) · cmn 言 (to communicate by speech) · he דִּבֵּר (to communicate by speech) · ja 意思疎通する (to communicate by other means than speech) · lv runāt (to communicate by speech) · ast falar (to communicate by speech) · ia parlar (to communicate by speech) · lt kalbėti (to communicate by speech) · lo ສົນທະນາ (to communicate by speech) · vi nói (to communicate by speech) · nl spreken (to communicate by speech) · izh läätä (to communicate by speech) · id ngomong (to communicate by speech) · ur بات کَرْنا (to communicate by speech) · pl mówić (to communicate by speech) · ca conversar (to communicate by speech) · as কথা কোৱা (to communicate by speech) · ckb قسە ئەکات (to communicate by speech) · ja 話す (to communicate by speech) · ga bí ag caint (to communicate by speech) · lo ພູດ (to communicate by speech) · ca parlar (to communicate by speech) · cy siarad (to communicate by speech) · mi motatau (to communicate by speech) · es fablar (to communicate by speech) · tk gürlemek (to communicate by speech) · fi puhua (to communicate by speech) · az danışmaq (to communicate by speech) · tyz cảng (to communicate by speech) · es conversar (to communicate by speech) · la sermocinor (to communicate by speech) · sw kuzungumza (to communicate by speech) · yag yāpīmur-köna (to communicate by speech) · el επικοινωνώ (to communicate by other means than speech) · kk сөйлеу (to communicate by speech) · ia conversar (to communicate by speech) · pl rozmawiać (to communicate by speech) · qu rimachiy (to communicate by speech) · ko 대화하다 (to communicate by other means than speech) · it parlare (to communicate by speech) · kw kewsel (to communicate by speech) · fr parler (to communicate by speech) · got 𐍂𐍉𐌳𐌾𐌰𐌽 (to communicate by speech) · es paular (to communicate by speech) · km ក្លាវ (to communicate by speech) · fo tala (to communicate by speech) · scn parrari (to communicate by speech) · fa-ira صُحْبَت کَرْدَن (to communicate by speech) · ttj -baza (to communicate by speech) · bg гово́ря (to communicate by speech) · es fabular (to communicate by speech) · is mæla (to communicate by speech) · gl falar (to communicate by speech) · ro a vorbi (to communicate by speech) · de reden (to communicate by speech) · da snakke (to communicate by speech) · ur بولْنا (to communicate by speech) · nl overleggen (to communicate by speech) · mi kōwetewete (to communicate by speech) · fr s'entretenir (to communicate by speech) · yue 講 /讲 (to communicate by speech) · es chamullar (to communicate by speech) · ka ლაპარაკი (to communicate by speech) · za gangj (to communicate by speech) · ta பேசு (to communicate by speech) · sv prata (to communicate by speech) · et rääkima (to communicate by speech) · ko 말씀하다 (to communicate by speech)