Converse

/kənˈvɜːrs/

verbIntermediate📊CommonLiterature
4 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

4 meanings
1

To engage in a discussion; to talk.

/kənˈvɜːrs/

verbneutralIntermediate
Literature

To engage in conversation.

The two friends conversed about their favorite books.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're chatting with a friend. You're both talking and listening to each other. That's conversing! It's like when you swap stories and ideas back and forth.

👶 For kids: Talking with someone!

More Examples

2

We conversed about the upcoming project during lunch.

3

They conversed in hushed tones so as not to disturb the others.

How It's Used

General

"They conversed for hours, sharing stories."

Formal

"The diplomats conversed about the treaty."

2

To have a contrary relation; to be opposite.

/kənˈvɜːrs/

verbneutralAdvanced
General

The converse of the theorem is not always true.

💡 Simply: It's like saying the exact opposite of something. If you said, "If it rains, the ground gets wet," the converse might be, "If the ground is wet, it rained." (This is a simplified example of the logic involved.)

👶 For kids: When something is the other way around!

More Examples

2

His statement had its converse in her actions.

3

In logic, the converse of a conditional statement can be a different statement altogether.

How It's Used

Logic

"The converse of that statement is false."

Mathematics

"The converse of the theorem also holds true."

Tip:Imagine flipping an argument. The converse is the opposite of the original.
3

A discussion or conversation.

/ˈkɒnvɜːrs/

nounneutralIntermediate
General

The two had a long converse about the future.

💡 Simply: When you are talking to someone about something. It could be a long chat or a quick exchange of ideas.

👶 For kids: When you are talking to someone!

More Examples

2

Her thoughtful converse always brightened the mood.

3

The novel was rich with intricate converse between the characters.

How It's Used

General

"Their converse was lively and engaging."

Literature

"The novel is full of vivid converse."

Tip:The 'verse' is the content of the conversation.
4

Opposite; contrary.

/ˈkɒnvɜːrs/

adjectiveneutralAdvanced
General

The converse view was also considered.

💡 Simply: The opposite of something. It is when things are in the completely opposite direction.

👶 For kids: When something is the other way around!

More Examples

2

He found the converse outcome surprising.

3

In the converse situation, the results were quite different.

How It's Used

Logic

"The converse argument."

Mathematics

"In the converse case, we have…"

Tip:Relating back to the original meaning of reversing or turning around.

Idioms & expressions

have a converse with

To engage in a discussion or chat with someone.

"I hope to have a converse with her soon about the project."

From Middle English conversen, from Old French converser, from Latin conversari (“to live, dwell, associate with”), frequentative of convertere (“to turn about, turn around, turn back”).

Historically, 'converse' was used both as a verb and a noun, often referring to a general exchange of ideas or a friendly talk. It was commonly used in formal writing and literature.

Memory tip

Think of a 'con' as a group and 'verse' as words. So, a group of words, exchanging ideas.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to turn about, frequentative of convertere (to turn around, turn back)."

converse withhave a converseopen converseengage in converse

Common misspellings

converseconvers

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written