tete-a-tete
8.3
A private talk between two people in a quiet place
- noun
- /ˌtɛt ə ˈtɛt/
:
tete-a-tete
- The couple enjoyed a quiet tete-a-tete at the cozy cafe, sharing their thoughts and dreams.
Examples
-
During the retreat, the two leaders had a valuable tete-a-tete to discuss their strategies away from the public eye.
-
As a matter of fact, I'm headed over to his shack later today for an extremely intimate tete-a-tete.
-
She invited him for a tete-a-tete in the garden, where they could talk freely without interruptions.
Synonyms
23
4.1
A short private meeting to talk about plans
is a one to one intimate quiet conversation rather than a brief planning meeting
5
8.9
A short informal private talk between people
is more intimate and secluded and usually between two people
quiet word
vstete-a-tete
2
5.6
A short private talk to give advice or discuss a sensitive matter
is a more general intimate private conversation not only for advice
How Private
heart-to-heart
2
3.9
- Informal
2
3.9
quiet word
2
5.6
2
5.6
tete-a-tete
8.3
conversation
∞
1.0
∞
1.0
chat
312
1.0
- Informal
312
1.0
small talk
65
2.1
- Informal
65
2.1
Surface Forms
tete-a-tete singular
tete-a-tetes plural
Etymology
Tete-a-tete comes from French tête 'head' and literally means 'head-to-head', a picture of two people leaning close to speak alone. So a tete-a-tete is a private, quiet conversation between two people.