conversationalist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral. More common in written descriptions and appreciative commentary than in casual, everyday speech.
Quick answer
What does “conversationalist” mean?
A person who is good at or enjoys conversation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is good at or enjoys conversation.
A person who is skilled, engaging, and often knowledgeable in the art of conversation; someone who can talk easily and interestingly on various topics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more literary or refined in connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used when a specific term for a skilled talker is needed.
Grammar
How to Use “conversationalist” in a Sentence
[adjective] conversationalistconversationalist on [topic]conversationalist in [language/field]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conversationalist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She loves to converse on a wide range of topics.
American English
- They prefer to converse over coffee in the morning.
adverb
British English
- He spoke conversationally, putting everyone at ease.
American English
- The lecture was delivered conversationally, not formally.
adjective
British English
- His conversational style was relaxed and humorous.
American English
- She has a great, conversational tone in her podcasts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in profiles describing a client-facing role requiring interpersonal skills, e.g., 'He's not just a salesman; he's a true conversationalist who builds genuine rapport.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism, sociology, or historical analysis to describe a character's or figure's social skill, e.g., 'The author portrays him as a consummate conversationalist in the Parisian salons.'
Everyday
Used to compliment someone's engaging talk, often in social contexts, e.g., 'You're such a great conversationalist! The evening flew by.'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conversationalist”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conversationalist”
- Misspelling as 'conversationist'.
- Using it to mean simply 'someone who is currently in a conversation' rather than someone skilled at it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it almost always carries a positive connotation, implying skill and enjoyment in conversation. A negative term for someone who talks too much would be 'chatterbox' or 'motormouth'.
No, that would be a misuse. The term implies a degree of skill, intelligence, or charm in conversation, not just volume or frequency of speech.
An 'orator' is a skilled public speaker addressing a large audience formally. A 'conversationalist' excels in informal, interactive, one-on-one or small-group dialogue.
It is not an everyday, high-frequency word. It belongs to a more formal or descriptive register and is used when specifically praising or noting someone's conversational abilities.
A person who is good at or enjoys conversation.
Conversationalist is usually formal to neutral. more common in written descriptions and appreciative commentary than in casual, everyday speech. in register.
Conversationalist: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒn.vəˈseɪ.ʃən.əl.ɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːn.vɚˈseɪ.ʃən.əl.ɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A born conversationalist”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a person who turns every CONVERSATION into a form of ART, making them a CONVERSATION-ART-IST (conversationalist).
Conceptual Metaphor
CONVERSATION IS A PERFORMANCE (the conversationalist is the skilled performer).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest synonym for 'conversationalist' when used in a positive sense?