town talk: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, slightly dated or literary.
Quick answer
What does “town talk” mean?
The informal conversation, gossip, or news circulating among the inhabitants of a town or local community.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The informal conversation, gossip, or news circulating among the inhabitants of a town or local community.
Can refer to the general public opinion or the prevailing topics of discussion in a specific locale, often implying trivial or personal matters rather than serious news.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly found in British English, often in literary or period contexts. In American English, 'small-town talk' or 'local gossip' might be more frequent.
Connotations
In both varieties, it suggests insularity. In the UK, it may evoke a traditional village or market town setting. In the US, it might more strongly imply a lack of privacy.
Frequency
Low frequency in contemporary speech in both regions, but slightly higher recognisability in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “town talk” in a Sentence
[be/become] the town talktown talk [has it/centres on/revolves around] XVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “town talk” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in a metaphorical sense: 'The merger became the town talk of the industry.'
Academic
Virtually never used, except in sociological or historical studies of communities.
Everyday
Used in informal conversation, often with a slightly ironic or humorous tone.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “town talk”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “town talk”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “town talk”
- Using it as a plural (*town talks*). Using it to refer to formal discussion (*The council's town talk was productive*).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a fixed phrase written as two separate words.
It is less common. The phrase evokes a smaller, close-knit community. For a city, 'city gossip' or 'local buzz' might be more apt.
It often has a mildly negative or dismissive connotation, implying trivial or intrusive gossip, but can be neutral.
'Town talk' specifies the scope (the local community) and often the content (local events/people). 'Gossip' is the general activity or information.
The informal conversation, gossip, or news circulating among the inhabitants of a town or local community.
Town talk is usually informal, slightly dated or literary. in register.
Town talk: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtaʊn ˈtɔːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtaʊn ˈtɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be the town talk”
- “to set the town talking”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TOWN crier who no longer makes official announcements but just spreads TALK and gossip.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNITY IS A NETWORK OF CONVERSATION; GOSSIP IS A COMMODITY (circulating).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'town talk' most strongly imply?