dialogue

The words spoken by characters in a film, play, or other story.

• The dialogue was hard to hear.
• She writes lively dialogue for television shows.
• The actors changed some of the dialogue during rehearsal.

Similar words: lines

Common phrases: film dialogue, write dialogue, dialogue scene

A conversation or exchange of ideas between two or more people or groups.

• We need an honest dialogue.
• The two leaders continued their dialogue by phone.
• Can dialogue help resolve this disagreement?

How to use it: dialogue with someone (We need a dialogue with local residents.); dialogue between A and B (The meeting encouraged dialogue between teachers and parents.)

Similar words: conversation, discussion

Opposites: monologue

Common phrases: open dialogue, dialogue with someone, dialogue between groups

Parts of a written story that show what characters say to each other.

• This chapter has very little dialogue.
• The author uses dialogue to reveal the characters’ feelings.
• Put quotation marks around the dialogue in your story.

Similar words: conversation

Common phrases: dialogue in novels, write dialogue, realistic dialogue

To discuss something with others in order to understand each other or reach an agreement.

• Both sides agreed to dialogue.
• The council dialogued with residents about housing.
• We must dialogue openly to resolve these differences.

How to use it: dialogue with someone (Officials agreed to dialogue with community leaders.); dialogue about something (The groups will dialogue about their shared concerns.)

Similar words: discuss, negotiate, confer

Common phrases: dialogue with someone, dialogue about something