WordGarden.ioconversational
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /kɒnvəsˈeɪʃənəl/
US
- /ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃənəl/
Meanings
Adjective
relaxed and informal like ordinary conversation
able to communicate in ordinary conversation
designed to interact through natural-language dialogue
Beyond the definition
Imagine sitting on a porch swing with a friend, sharing stories and laughing easily—that's conversational. It describes something relating to or suitable for casual talk. A conversational tone is relaxed and approachable, making it feel as if you are chatting rather than listening to a lecture. Not everything needs to be conversational; a legal document, for instance, isn't meant to be informal! However, a good novel often feels conversational, drawing you in as if the author were speaking directly to you. Think of it as the opposite of formal or stiff—it's all about ease and connection through words.
The word "conversational" describes something related to conversation—specifically, the informal, relaxed talk between people. It goes beyond simply having a conversation; it describes the style and tone of communication.
A conversational style is characterized by its naturalness, ease, and lack of formality. Think of how you speak with close friends or family—that's likely conversational. It often includes contractions ("can't" instead of "cannot"), personal anecdotes, and a generally friendly, accessible tone.
You might describe someone as "conversational" if they are easy to talk to and enjoy engaging in casual chat. A good salesperson is often described this way—able to build rapport through relaxed dialogue rather than a hard sell.
"Conversational" is also common when talking about language ability. If someone speaks "conversational Spanish," they can handle everyday talk (greetings, small talk, ordering food), even if they are not fully fluent.
"Conversational" can also apply to writing or modern technology. "Conversational marketing" focuses on building relationships with customers through personalized, two-way interactions. Similarly, a "conversational user interface" (CUI), like a chatbot, mimics the back-and-forth flow of human interaction to make technology feel more human.
However, it's important to remember that being conversational isn't always appropriate. A scientific report or a legal brief would likely be considered unprofessional if written in a highly conversational style. It's about choosing the right tone for the context. When you want to connect with someone on a personal level and build rapport, "conversational" is the way to go.
Examples
- 1
Meeting tone
She used a warm, conversational tone in the meeting.
- 2
Writing style
The article is written in a conversational style, so it's easy to follow.
- 3
Spoken delivery
Try to sound conversational when you answer, not like you're reading from memory.
- 4
One-on-one
He's much more conversational one-on-one than in big groups.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Travel English
The course focuses on conversational English for travel and daily life.
- Phraseconversational English
English people use in everyday speech
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- conversational tone
- conversational style
- conversational English
- sound conversational
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- conversationaladjective