Dialogue Meaning
/ˈdaɪəlɒɡ/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA conversation or other form of discourse between two or more individuals.
nounIn a dramatic or literary presentation, the verbal parts of the script or text; the verbalizations of the actors or characters.
Sentence Examples
Diplomatic dialogue helped put an end to the conflict.
The mystery contains more dialogue than narrative.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The play's ____ revealed the characters' deepest fears and hopes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Diplomatic ____ helped put an end to the conflict.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English dialog, from Old French dialoge (French dialogue), from Late Latin dialogus, from Ancient Greek διάλογος (diálogos, “conversation, discourse”), from διά (diá, “through, inter”) + λόγος (lógos, “speech, oration, discourse”), from διαλέγομαι (dialégomai, “to converse”), from διά (diá) + λέγειν (légein, “to speak”), equivalent to dia- (“between”) + -logue. Also analyzable as di- (“two”) + -alogue.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Guido and Francesca exchanged looks; for the attention with which both had listened had enabled them to comprehend with tolerable accuracy the preceding dialogue."
— 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XVII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 200:
"The hours of dialogue with Winfrey, which culminated in a choked-up moment on Friday night as he discussed the impact of his cheating on his family, appear to have failed to give Armstrong the redemption that he craves."
— 2013 January 19, Paul Harris, The Guardian:
"In 1936, Anstey had co-directed Housing Problems, which featured direct dialogue recording - allowing the subjects of the film to speak for themselves. As Anstey said: "At the time nobody had done it, and we gave slum dwellers a chance to make their own films.""
— 2021 March 10, Greg Morse, “Telling the railway's story on film”, in RAIL, number 926, page 42:
"Dost [thou] dialogue with thy shadow?"
— c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii], page [55]:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The play's ____ revealed the characters' deepest fears and hopes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Diplomatic ____ helped put an end to the conflict.