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talk

talk

718 1.8
A speech given to an audience
  • noun
  • /tɔk/
translation icon : conferencia
  • So then I was giving a talk in University of Havana.
  • give a talk
  • an artist's talk
  • sponsor a talk

And I actually gave a Ted talk just last month.

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Examples

  • I was asked to give a talk to the inmates, look at some of their work.

  • So today my talk is going to be in three parts.

  • Your idea is important, and your talk will change the world.

  • And I actually gave a Ted talk just last month.

  • This is a talk that has a story arc.

  • I love the title of your talk Note to Educators.

  • Super excited now for this talk here in Gothenburg, Sweden.

  • It was a great talk, Dennis.

  • You can find out more about Warren's talk today here at ECGC.

  • In her inspiring talk about climate change, she highlighted the importance of sustainability.

Synonyms

speech
vstalk
  • Formal
1.8

A formal talk given to an audience to inform or persuade

is a broader label for many kinds of spoken events
presentation
vstalk
435 3.5

To give information to a group using a talk or slides

is a more general spoken event term, not limited to displays
lecture
vstalk
365 3.1

A talk that teaches people about a subject, often at a university

is a general spoken event term, not limited to teaching
address
vstalk
  • Formal
212 5.3

A formal speech given to a group of people

is a general term for any spoken event, not only occasions
monologue
vstalk
124 4.8

A long speech by one person often in a play or film

is the general term for many spoken events, not only solo performances
pep talk
vstalk
40 3.0

A short talk that encourages people before they do something important

is a broad term for any spoken event beyond motivational purpose
sales pitch
vstalk
26 3.2

A short talk to convince someone to buy something

is the broader spoken event term, not limited to selling purposes
spiel
vstalk
  • Informal
18 7.9

A long talk that tries to convince people to buy something

is a general spoken event term, not always persuasive
10 4.4

A main speech at a formal event that sets the tone

is a general spoken event term, not only main ceremonial messages
oration
vstalk
  • Formal
6 7.6

A formal speech given at a special event

is a general term for any spoken event, not only ceremonies
6 4.2

A main talk at a meeting that gives the event's main idea

is wider, applying to many sorts of spoken events
3 3.4

A talk given to a group, often at school or work

is the general category for spoken events beyond academic reports
1 2.8

A talk on a subject that anyone can attend

is a general term for spoken events beyond open educational ones
pres
vstalk
  • Informal
1 8.2

A short talk given to a group at work or school

is the general term covering both formal and informal spoken events
sales talk
vstalk
1 3.0

Speech that tries to make someone buy something

is the general spoken event term beyond commercial persuasion
prez
vstalk
  • Informal
8.6

A short talk with slides, usually for a class or meeting

is a general term for any spoken delivery, formal or informal

Antonyms

660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

Idioms

to talk the talk
  • Informal
13 7.4

To speak confidently about doing something without actually doing it

8 7.9

To speak confidently about what you can do without proving it

Something or someone that everyone in a place talks about

to talk turkey
  • Informal
6 7.0

Discuss important matters directly to reach an agreement

3 9.9

Speak as if you know about something when you do not

2 8.1

To speak to someone who does not respond or listen

talk to the hand
  • Offensive
2 9.7

A rude phrase with a hand gesture that tells someone you will not listen

1 7.0

To try to speak to someone who will not listen or answer

all talk
  • Informal
1 5.5

A person or thing that makes big promises but does not act

1 9.9

To say things without knowing the facts or that are not true

9.9

A person who says they will do things but never does them

An idea that a place could tell stories from its past

talk is cheap
  • Informal
7.0

Saying you will do something is easy but doing it matters

To talk longer and more skillfully so the other person cannot answer

Speak to someone for a very long time in a way that annoys them

Speak with someone for a very long time until they get tired

To speak more and make others stop talking

8.4

To speak to someone for a very long time until they get tired of listening

Compounds

268 2.5

A television or radio program where famous people speak about topics and answer audience questions

small talk
  • Informal
65 2.1

Polite short talk about simple topics like the weather

40 3.0

A short talk that encourages people before they do something important

real talk
  • Slang
9 7.7

An honest serious conversation about difficult or important things

sex talk
  • Informal
9 5.4

A conversation about sex to teach people about bodies and safety

7 4.7

A close private conversation between romantic partners in bed

6 9.0

Confusing speech that hides the truth, often to avoid a direct answer

back talk
  • Informal
4 7.2

Rude replies people give to someone in charge

3 5.8

A soft, simple way adults speak to infants to show affection

sweet talk
  • Informal
3 4.3

Flattering words that try to persuade someone but are not sincere

shop talk
  • Jargon
2 6.5

A conversation about work that uses words only people in the same job understand

1 5.8

Casual talk about small, unimportant things, often gossip

1 7.0

A talk that uses a blackboard and chalk to explain ideas

monkey talk
  • Informal
1 8.9

Silly or unimportant talk that wastes time

1 3.0

Speech that tries to make someone buy something

table talk
  • Informal
1 4.5

Talk that people have while they eat a meal

street talk
  • Slang
1 8.7

Informal words and phrases used in a neighborhood, often by young people

1 4.3

Words that sound important but have no real meaning or action

1 3.9

Speech by a very young child using simple sounds and words

7.1

A way of teaching by giving lectures with little student interaction

talk jockey
  • Offensive
9.1

A person who speaks too much and stops other people from speaking

How Formal

keynote
51 4.4
address
  • Formal
212 5.3
to lecture
65 3.8
presentation
435 3.5
talk
718 1.8

Surface Forms

talk singular
talks plural

Etymology

The word talk for a speech or lecture is tied to the idea of telling a story and shares the root of tale ('story'). So a public talk is literally telling information to a group, which is why we call a lecture a 'talk'.