Definition of DIALOGUE (original) (raw)
1
: a written composition in which two or more characters are represented as conversing
2
a
: a conversation between two or more persons
also : a similar exchange between a person and something else (such as a computer)
b
: an exchange of ideas and opinions
organized a series of dialogues on human rights
c
: a discussion between representatives of parties to a conflict that is aimed at resolution
a constructive dialogue between loggers and environmentalists
3
: the conversational element of literary or dramatic composition
very little dialogue in this film
writes realistic dialogue
4
: a musical composition for two or more parts suggestive of a conversation
Did you know?
Dialectic is a term used in philosophy, and the fact that it is closely connected to the ideas of Socrates and Plato is completely logical—even from an etymological point of view. Plato’s famous dialogues frequently presented Socrates playing a leading role, and dialogue comes from the Greek roots dia- (“through” or “across”) and -logue (“discourse” or “talk”). Dialect and dialectic come from dialecktos (“conversation” or “dialect”) and ultimately back to the Greek word dialegesthai, meaning “to converse.”
Conversation or dialogue was indeed at the heart of the “Socratic method,” through which Socrates would ask probing questions which cumulatively revealed his students’ unsupported assumptions and misconceptions. The goal, according to the definition in our Unabridged Dictionary, was to “elicit a clear and consistent expression of something supposed to be implicitly known by all rational beings.”
Other philosophers had specific uses of the term dialectic, including Aristotelianism, Stoicism, Kantianism, Hegelianism, and Marxism. Asking a series of questions was considered by Socrates a method of “giving birth” to the truth, and a related word, maieutic, defined as “relating to or resembling the Socratic method of eliciting new ideas from another,” comes from the Greek word meaning “of midwifery.”
Synonyms
Examples of dialogue in a Sentence
Noun
He is an expert at writing dialogue. There's very little dialogue in the film. The best part of the book is the clever dialogue. Students were asked to read dialogues from the play. The two sides involved in the labor dispute are trying to establish a dialogue. The two parties have been in constant dialogue with each other.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Any Gilmore Girls fan knows that the show’s costumes are just as memorable as its quippy dialogue, and Graham’s outfit formula certainly looked like something straight out of her character’s closet. —
Clara McMahon, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025 If Mark’s dialogue sounds a little like a rally to convince the goat tenders to unionize, that’s not a coincidence. —Jen Chaney, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
And when the devil approaches to ask those questions, the Lord does not dialogue with him. —David Chiu, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025 But instead of dialoguing with demonstrators, the Brazilian government has responded most often with arrests, tear gas, and rubber bullets. —Catherine Osborn, Foreign Affairs, 26 Oct. 2016 See all Example Sentences for dialogue 
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English dialoge, from Anglo-French dialogue, from Latin dialogus, from Greek dialogos, from dialegesthai to converse, from dia- + legein to speak — more at legend
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of dialogue was in the 13th century
Dictionary Entries Near dialogue
Cite this Entry
“Dialogue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialogue. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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