conversation piece: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “conversation piece” mean?
An unusual object, artwork, or topic that serves as a focal point for discussion or comment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An unusual object, artwork, or topic that serves as a focal point for discussion or comment.
Anything that deliberately or inadvertently attracts attention and prompts conversation, often due to its eccentricity, beauty, or controversial nature. Can also refer to a play or film centered on witty dialogue.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The term is equally recognized in both varieties.
Connotations
In British English, may have a stronger historical association with grand houses and collecting (e.g., an ornate 18th-century sculpture). In American English, usage might lean slightly more towards modern, quirky interior design items or personal quirks.
Frequency
Moderate and comparable in both dialects. Perhaps slightly more frequent in UK writing on art and antiques.
Grammar
How to Use “conversation piece” in a Sentence
[object] is a conversation piece[subject] makes for a conversation pieceuse [object] as a conversation pieceVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might describe an unconventional office design element meant to stimulate creative discussion.
Academic
Used in art history, design, and sociology to describe objects that mediate social interaction.
Everyday
Describing a striking piece of furniture, garden ornament, or unusual clothing item that gets people talking.
Technical
Not typically used in STEM fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conversation piece”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conversation piece”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conversation piece”
- Using it to mean simply 'a topic of conversation' without the object being unusual or notable.
- Confusing it with 'conversationalist' (a person who talks well).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not typically. The term almost always refers to an object, artwork, or topic. A person with very eccentric behaviour might be described metaphorically as 'like a conversation piece', but it's not standard usage.
No. It can be neutral or even slightly negative, implying the object is odd or garish. e.g., 'That painting is certainly a conversation piece, though I'm not sure I like it.'
A 'talking point' is any topic for discussion (often pre-planned, like in politics). A 'conversation piece' specifically implies a physical object or very specific topic whose unusual nature spontaneously generates talk.
No. It can be intentional (a bought sculpture) or accidental (a strange stain on the ceiling that everyone comments on).
An unusual object, artwork, or topic that serves as a focal point for discussion or comment.
Conversation piece is usually formal to neutral in register.
Conversation piece: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒn.vəˈseɪ.ʃən ˌpiːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːn.vɚˈseɪ.ʃən ˌpiːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “break the ice (related function)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PIECE of art so strange it starts a whole CONVERSATION at a party.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN OBJECT IS A SOCIAL CATALYST / CONVERSATION IS AN OBJECT (to be started)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'conversation piece' LEAST likely to be used?