Dialogue

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈdaɪəlÉ’É¡/
• US IPA: /ˈdaɪəlɔɡ/
• US IPA: /ˈdaɪəlÉ‘É¡/

Alternative forms

• (US and computing) dialog

Origin

From Old French dialoge (French dialogue), from Late Latin dialogus, from Ancient Greek διάλογος (dialogos, "conversation, discourse"), from διά (dia, "through, inter") + λόγος (logos, "speech, oration, discourse"), from διαλέγομαι (dialegomai, "to converse"), from διά + λέγειν (legein, "to speak").

Full definition of dialogue

Noun

1. A conversation or other form of discourse between two or more individuals.Bill and Melinda maintained a dialogue via email over the course of their long-distance relationship.
• 2013, Paul Harris, Lance Armstrong faces multi-million dollar legal challenges after confession (in The Guardian, 19 January 2013)http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jan/19/lance-armstrong-legal-challenges-confessionThe 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.
2. In a dramatic or literary presentation, the verbal parts of the script or text; the verbalizations of the actors or characters.The movie had great special effects, but the dialogue was lackluster.
3. A literary form, where the presentation resembles a conversation.A literary historian, she specialized in the dialogues of ancient Greek philosophers.
4. (computing) A dialogue box.Once the My Computer dialogue opens, select Local Disk (C:), then right click and scroll down.

Antonyms

• introspection
• monologue
• multilogue

Derived terms

Related terms

• dialect
• dialectic

Verb

1. (informal, business) To discuss or negotiate so that all parties can reach an understanding.Pearson wanted to dialogue with his overseas counterparts about the new reporting requirements.
2. (obsolete) To take part in a dialogue; to dialogize.