dialogue
gb/dˈaɪəlˌɔɡ/ us/dˈaɪəlˌɔɡ/
B1
English
~ 5500
párbeszéd, dialógus, párbeszédet folytat
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
dialogue between [groups] about [issue]
The government called for open dialogue with the protesters to find a peaceful solution.
A kormány nyílt párbeszédet szorgalmazott a tüntetőkkel a békés megoldás érdekében.
We need more dialogue between management and staff if we want these changes to work.
Több párbeszédre van szükség a vezetőség és a dolgozók között, ha azt szeretnénk, hogy ezek a változások sikeresek legyenek.
International dialogue on climate change has become more urgent in recent years.
The project aims to create dialogue between different religious communities in the city.
After months of tension, the two sides finally agreed to begin a formal dialogue.
Learner examples
There is little dialogue between the two countries.
Kevés a párbeszéd a két ország között.
The teacher wants honest dialogue in the classroom.
A tanár őszinte párbeszédet szeretne az osztályban.
Parents and schools should have regular dialogue about the children.
The leaders started dialogue to stop the war.
Good dialogue at work can help solve problems early.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *dialogue* when they mean any casual chat. In everyday speech, *conversation* is more common for normal, informal talk, while *dialogue* usually suggests a more serious, structured, or purposeful discussion between people or groups.
Meaning
serious discussion to improve understanding
Collocations
open a dialogue
|constructive dialogue
|dialogue between communities
|political dialogue
|interfaith dialogue
Synonyms
discussion (More general; can be light or serious, while "dialogue" often suggests a purposeful or formal exchange.)
|
talks (Common in news and politics; often used for official, high-level discussions between groups or countries.)
Antonyms
conflict (Highlights the absence of cooperative discussion and the presence of active disagreement or fighting instead.)
Themes
communication
|politics
|work
|relationships
Definition
A serious talk between people or groups to understand each other better or fix a problem.
A formal or serious discussion between two or more people or groups, especially to improve understanding, build relationships, or solve a problem.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
the dialogue in [a film / a scene / a novel]
The film’s sharp, funny dialogue keeps the audience engaged.
A film szellemes, vicces párbeszédei lekötik a közönséget.
Some viewers felt the dialogue was unrealistic and too formal.
Egyes nézők úgy érezték, hogy a párbeszédek életszerűtlenek és túl hivatalosak voltak.
She specializes in writing dialogue for animated movies.
The play had very little dialogue and relied mostly on movement.
Good dialogue can reveal a lot about a character without any explanation.
Learner examples
The dialogue in this movie is very natural.
A párbeszédek ebben a filmben nagyon természetesek.
I like the dialogue between the two main characters.
Tetszik a két főszereplő közötti párbeszéd.
He is good at writing dialogue for TV shows.
The book has a lot of fast dialogue.
We read the dialogue in class and then acted it out.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *dialogue* with *monologue* in film or theater contexts. *Dialogue* is an exchange between at least two characters, while *monologue* is a long speech by one character.
Meaning
spoken lines of characters
Collocations
write dialogue
|natural-sounding dialogue
|witty dialogue
|dialogue between the characters
|dialogue-heavy scenes
Synonyms
lines (Informal and often used in theater or film to refer to the exact words an actor has to say.)
Antonyms
narration (Refers to descriptive or explanatory text, not the spoken exchanges between characters.)
Themes
arts
|media
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Definition
The words that characters say to each other in a story, play, or movie.
The spoken or written words that characters say to each other in a book, play, film, or other story.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to dialogue with [someone] about [something]
Community leaders agreed to dialogue with residents about the proposed changes.
A közösségi vezetők megállapodtak abban, hogy párbeszédet folytatnak a lakosokkal a tervezett változtatásokról.
The organization aims to dialogue across political lines to reduce polarization.
A szervezet célja, hogy politikai törésvonalakon átívelő párbeszédet folytasson a polarizáció csökkentése érdekében.
They refused to dialogue with the company until basic safety demands were met.
Learner examples
The two groups decided to dialogue about their problems.
A két csoport úgy döntött, hogy párbeszédet folytat a problémáikról.
We need to dialogue with our customers before we make this change.
Párbeszédet kell folytatnunk az ügyfeleinkkel, mielőtt bevezetjük ezt a változtatást.
The school wants to dialogue with parents about the new rules.
The president said he is willing to dialogue with the opposition.
Common mistake:
Many learners overuse *dialogue* as a verb because it looks similar to verbs in other languages. In modern English, *dialogue* as a verb is formal and less common; in most situations, *talk* or *discuss* is more natural.
Meaning
to engage in serious discussion
Collocations
dialogue with stakeholders
|dialogue across differences
|dialogue about key issues
|agree to dialogue
|refuse to dialogue
Synonyms
discuss (More general and far more common in everyday English; does not carry the same formal or policy-related flavor as "dialogue" used as a verb.)
Antonyms
ignore (Describes choosing not to talk or respond, the opposite of actively entering into dialogue.)
Themes
communication
|politics
|work
|relationships
Definition
To talk seriously with other people or groups to understand each other or fix a problem.
To take part in serious or formal discussions with others in order to improve understanding or solve a problem.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
4
dialógus
C1
Usage pattern:
a philosophical dialogue about [topic]
We read one of Plato’s dialogues in our philosophy class.
Filozófiaórán Platón egyik dialógusát olvastuk.
The author uses a dialogue between student and teacher to explore moral questions.
A szerző egy diák és egy tanár közötti dialóguson keresztül jár körül erkölcsi kérdéseket.
In Renaissance Europe, the dialogue became a popular form for scientific debates.
Learner examples
Plato wrote many famous dialogues.
Platón sok híres dialógust írt.
In this dialogue, two friends talk about justice.
Ebben a dialógusban két barát az igazságosságról beszélget.
The book is not a story but a dialogue about God.
Our teacher asked us to write a short dialogue on freedom as homework.
Meaning
literary work in conversation form
Collocations
Platonic dialogues
|philosophical dialogue
|Socratic dialogue
|dialogue form
|dialogue as a literary genre
Synonyms
philosophical dialogue (More specific; clearly signals that the work is focused on philosophical ideas presented in conversational form.)
Antonyms
treatise (A formal written text that presents ideas in a continuous explanation, not as a conversation between characters.)
Themes
literature
|philosophy
|arts_entertainment
|education
Definition
A book or text where people talk to each other and their talk is used to show ideas.
A literary or philosophical work in which the author presents ideas through a conversation between two or more characters.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dialogue
IPA
GB/dˈaɪəlˌɔɡ/
US/dˈaɪəlˌɔɡ/
Syllables & stress
dia - logue (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (dia)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dialogue
- Variant Spelling: dialog
- Plural: dialogue, dialogues
Verb
- Base: dialogue
- Variant Spelling: dialog
- 3rd Person Singular: dialogues
- Present Participle: dialoguing
- Past: dialogued
Word family
Forms
Negative and opposite forms
monologue
noun B2
Advanced or less common
dialogic
adjective
dialogical
adjective
Highlights
- Spelling Variant: dialog Verb
- Spelling Variant: dialog Noun
Expressions
dialogue of the deaf
1/dˈaɪəlˌɔɡ əv ðə dˈɛf/
idiom
formal
discussion where nobody listens
A situation where people talk to each other, but no one really listens or answers the other person's ideas.
Examples
- The debate quickly became a dialogue of the deaf, with each side just repeating its own slogans.
- Some online arguments are basically a dialogue of the deaf.
- Without trust, negotiations risk turning into a dialogue of the deaf.
interfaith dialogue
1/ˌɪntɚfˈeɪθ dˈaɪəlˌɔɡ/
fixed phrase
discussion between different religions
Talks between people or leaders from different religions so they can understand and respect each other better.
Examples
- The city hosts an annual interfaith dialogue to promote peace.
- Interfaith dialogue can reduce fear and misunderstanding between communities.
- She works for an organization that focuses on interfaith dialogue among young people.
meaningful dialogue
1/mˈinɪŋfəl dˈaɪəlˌɔɡ/
fixed phrase
serious, honest, important discussion
A serious and honest talk that goes deep into real problems or feelings, not just small talk.
Examples
- We rarely have meaningful dialogue about race in this country.
- The film encourages meaningful dialogue about how we treat the environment.
- Couples need meaningful dialogue if they want their relationship to grow.
open a dialogue
1/ˈoʊpən ə dˈaɪəlˌɔɡ/
fixed phrase
start a serious discussion
To begin a serious talk between people or groups, usually to solve a problem or improve relations.
Examples
- The company wants to open a dialogue with employees about flexible working hours.
- Local leaders are trying to open a dialogue between the police and the community.
- We need to open a dialogue with our partners before the situation gets worse.
social dialogue
1/sˈoʊʃəl dˈaɪəlˌɔɡ/
fixed phrase
technical
discussion on labor and social policy
Formal talks between worker groups, employers, and the government about jobs, pay, and social policy.
Examples
- The report stresses the importance of social dialogue in creating fair labor laws.
- At the European level, social dialogue plays a key role in shaping employment policy.
- Trade unions called for stronger social dialogue during the economic crisis.
constructive dialogue
1/kənstɹˈʌktɪv dˈaɪəlˌɔɡ/
fixed phrase
problem-solving, helpful discussion
A talk between people where they listen to each other and try to find useful solutions, not just complain or fight.
Examples
- The meeting turned into a constructive dialogue instead of a blame game.
- The two sides agreed to start a constructive dialogue to end the conflict.
- They praised the constructive dialogue between the union and management.
- We need constructive dialogue about climate policy, not political shouting.
- We hope this workshop will lead to constructive dialogue on mental health.