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tertulia

tertulia

1 9.9
An informal gathering where people meet to talk about books, art, or news
  • noun
  • /tɛrˈtuːljə/
translation icon : tertulia
  • On the day Palm Fronds appeared in each mailbox, the four members of the tertulia could hardly wait for the evening meal for a discussion of the matter.
  • member of the tertulia

Examples

  • In the tertulia held in the cervecera Oro del Rhin in Madrid, he met Rivas Panedas.

    Academic text (2002)
  • At the weekly tertulia, friends gathered to discuss their favorite books over coffee.

  • But then she added: I'd take those four gentlemen of the tertulia with you.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • No one spoke, for each member of the tertulia, deeply moved, had a lump in his throat.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The tertulia was astounded at how much information had already been collected.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • That night, when the tertulia assembled in their corner, the conversation did not focus on some arcane topic.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The ambassador's performance was perfect, an effective capstone to the solid contributions of the other tertulia members.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The tertulia discussed this avidly as waitresses cleared the nearby tables, and Lewandowski said:

    Fiction book (1994)
  • During the lively tertulia, the group exchanged ideas about the latest art exhibit in town.

  • The artist was excited to present her new work at the tertulia hosted at a local café.

Synonyms

confab
vstertulia
  • Informal
5 8.9

A short informal private talk between people

is a public regular meeting for cultural topics not just a quick chat
klatch
vstertulia
  • Archaic
2 9.5

A small informal meeting where people talk, often with coffee

is used for cultural talks and broadcasts rather than casual coffee chats
kaffeeklatsch
vstertulia
  • Informal
1 8.9

A friendly meeting where people drink coffee and chat, often to gossip

focuses on cultural discussion and public broadcasts rather than personal gossip
cenacle
vstertulia
  • Archaic
9.9

A small group of writers or artists who meet to share and discuss ideas

is a regular cultural discussion open to broader topics and settings
coffee-and-chat
vstertulia
  • Informal
2.5

A relaxed meeting where people talk and drink coffee

is more specifically about cultural topics and regular discussion meetings
sociable
vstertulia
  • UK
3.8

A friendly meeting where people come to talk and share food

is centred on cultural conversation rather than general social entertainment

How Formal

conference
  • Formal
3.0
symposium
47 7.3
tertulia
1 9.9
gathering
203 1.0
get-together
  • Informal
46 1.9

Surface Forms

tertulia singular
tertulias plural

Etymology

Tertulia comes from Spanish, and one popular story says it was named after a man called Tertullianus who held regular talks. That's why a tertulia today is a friendly meeting, often in a café, where people 'talk' about art, books, or news.