+ about They talked about their
favourite pop stars.
+ to Danny was talking to a girl he'd just met at the bar. I It's been nice talking to you.
talk with sb american f left Mario talking with my mother.
get talking (=start having a conversation with someone that you do not know) Kay got talking to a taxi-driver.
Speak to sb /'spnktu: (sb)/ [phrasal verb T] to say something to someone or have a conversation with them: Natalie's on the phone. She wants to speak to you. I He hasn't spoken to me since we quarrelled.
chat/have a chat /tjaet, haev э 'tjaet/ \v
I] to talk in a friendly and informal way, especially about things that are not very important: The girls were sitting on the steps, chatting. I Just call me if you feel like having a chat.
+ about We drank our coffee and chatted about our experiences. + with/to Harry chatted to a couple of Australian tourists as we waited for the show to begin.
chatting - chatted - have chatted
visit /'viz^t/ [u I] american to talk in a relaxed way to someone you know welclass="underline" Mom and Aunt Jo were sitting drinking coffee and visiting.
+ with I don't see him that often, but I like to go and uisit u^ith him when J can.
gossip /'gos^pl'ga:-/ [и I] if people gossip.
they exchange information about other people s private lives, often in an unkind way because they enjoy talking about other people's problems: They sat in the kitchen, drinking coffee and gossip- pi ng. I Don't tell Anne about this. You know how she gossips. + about People often gossip about each other in a small town. gossip [n singular/U] conversation about other people's private lives: There has been a lot of gossip about her divorce. I /stopped by at Marsha's house for a gossip.
conversation /jtonva'seij^kam-/ [n C/U| when people talk to each other, especially in an informal situation: a telephone conversation I The noise of the traffic made conversation almost impossible. I They didn't realize their conversation was being recorded. have a conversation (with) Vicky was having a long conversation with the bartender.
get into conversation (with sb) (=start talking to someone you do not know) While I was on the train to Cambridge, I got into conversation with an American.
to talk to someone about a problem, plan, or serious subject
talk /ык/ [и ij I think we need to talk. + about If you have a problem at school, let s sit down and talk about it.
+ to Gerry wants to talk to his girlfriend before he makes a decision. talk with sb american If you need more money you should talk with Richard.
speak to sb (also speak with sb
american ) 'spi:k tu: (sb), spck wirt (sb)/ [phrasal verb T] to talk to someone about something that you are worried about or annoyed about: The King's envoy travelled to Rome to speak to the Pope. + about / intend to speak to the manager about the way I've been treated. 1 Have you spoken with Michael about your problem?
have a word with sb hx\ о W3:rd
wirt (sb) to talk to someone alone for a short time, for example because you need their advice or because you want to tell them something privately or criticize them for something they have done wrong: The boss wants to have a word with me. + about Could I have a word with you about my homework assignment?
discuss di'sk,\s/1у TJ if people discuss а
subject or situation, they exchange ideas and opinions about it, so that it is easier to make a decision or make plans: The two families got together to discuss the wedding arrangements.
discuss sth with sb Don't make any plans yet - I want to discuss this with Jamie first.
discuss what/how/where etc \Me need to discuss what kind of food we want at the party.
talk over /,d:k 'эоуэг/ [phrasal verb T] to talk to someone about all the details of a serious problem or difficult situation, in order to understand it better talk sth over/talk over sth If you 're worried about your work, come and see me and we'll talk it over. talk sth over with sb It's often useful to talk things over with a trained counsel lor.
negotiate nigsojieit, [u I/T] to discuss а
political problem or business arrangement in order to try to reach an agreement - use this about political or business leaders + with The government rejuses to negotiate u>ith terrorists.
negotiate an agreement/deal/price etc
Colombia and Venezuela are currently negotiating a trade agreement.
В a meeting where people talk seriously about something
discussion di'skApn (n C/U] when
people exchange ideas and opinions about something, especially in order to make a decision
+ about a discussion about cars and pollution
+ with After a long discussion with her father, she decided not to take the job. have a discussion I need to have a discussion with my boss before I can give you an answer
under discussion formal (-being discussed) A new road-bui7ding project is now under discussion.
negotiations /ni.gaoJieiJVnz/ [n plural]
when people who represent governments, companies etc meet to discuss a problem or business arrangement and try to reach an agreement: The trade negotiations between the US and Japan are going very well.
+ with Negotiations with the Turkish government are due to begin tomorrow.
talks ;b:ks,, [n plural) a series of discussions between political or business leaders, which may continue for several days or weeks and are intended to solve a difficult problem: the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, known as 'SALT'
hold talks The peace talks are being held in Geneva.
+ with The company's managers have begun talks with union leaders. + between trade talks between France and Korea
debate drbeit In С] a formal public discussion. for example in parliament or on television, in which two or more groups of people make speeches giving different opinions about a subject, and people vote on it afterwards: The law was passed, after a long and sometimes angry debate. + on/about a televised debate on abortion