The Meaning of Converse: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of converse? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word converse, including its definition, etymology and word origin, usage, example sentences, and more!

Your writing, at its best

Compose bold, clear, mistake-free, writing with Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant

What does the word converse mean?

According to WordNik, Collins English Dictionary, and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word converse can be used as a verb to mean to exchange thoughts or practice the free interchange of thoughts. As a noun, this is known as conversation. This is usually done with someone who is an acquaintance by frequent or customary intercourse. Conversing is done in an informal manner with familiar communion or familiar discourse. An exchange of thoughts is usually done in this given manner by those who have a familiar association and want to exchange views. The suffixes ing and ed can be added to the end of converse to make different tenses like the past participle or present participle form of the word converse, conversed and conversing. While this is usually a means of speech, one could also converse in sign language or by written word.  Converse can also mean to keep company or hold intimate intercourse with someone. Converse is two syllables – con-verse, and the pronunciation of converse is ˈkɒnvɜːs. 

The word converse can also be used as a noun to refer to an opposite or contrary, or something in reverse order. For example, father is the converse of son, socialists are the converse of fascists, and rich men are the converse of poor men. The given relation holds between them in reverse order.

This term is also used in logic. It refers to a proposition or theorem of the form “If A, then B,” e.g. “If all Xs are greater than Ys, all Ys are less than Xs.” This is considered a categorical proposition. In short, it is a group of words correlative with a preceding group. However, the significant pair of terms, or the transposition of subject and predicate are interchanged, or in reverse order. This weakens a universal proposition. For example, “No bad man is bald, therefore no bald man is bad.” This is also often used in math to conduct a proof for an equivalent.

What is the origin of the word converse?

According to Your Dictionary, the word converse has been used since the c16 Middle English conversen. This comes from the Middle French converser, Old French converser, the Latin conversare and the Latin conversus/conversāre, Latin conversārī com- com- versārī, meaning to occupy oneself. This is from the past participle of converto meaning to turn about, from the roots con and vert, added to tus, a past participle suffix. These come from the stem wer- in Proto-Indo-European roots. Related words include convert.

What are synonyms and antonyms of converse?

There are a number of different words that a person can choose to use in place of the word converse. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning or definition as another given word or phrase. Learning synonyms is a great way to easily expand your English language vocabulary and help you avoid repeating yourself when writing or speaking. The below list of synonyms for the word converse is provided by Power Thesaurus

  •  discuss
  •  natter
  •  chatter
  •  talk
  •  reversed
  •  conversation
  •  chatting
  •  opposite
  •  antithetical
  •  antipodal
  •  contradictory
  •  counter
  •  chew the fat
  •  obverse
  •  antithesis
  •  have a conversation
  •  negation
  •  parley
  •  reverse
  •  gossip
  •  speak
  •  shoot the breeze
  •  flip side
  •  commune
  •  chin
  •  talking
  •  confer
  •  contrary
  •  palaver
  •  gab
  •  confabulation
  •  visit
  •  have a word
  •  discourse
  •  rap
  •  antipodean
  •  transposed
  •  consult
  •  have a confab
  •  dialogue
  •  confabulate
  •  contra
  •  socialize
  •  antipode
  •  communicate
  •  opposing
  •  chat
  •  inverse
  •  confab
  •  colloquy

There are also plenty of different words that have the opposite meaning of the word converse. These opposite words are called antonyms, which are another great, quick and easy way to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms is also provided by Power Thesaurus.

  •  example
  •  bite one’s tongue
  •  accommodation
  •  exactly the same
  •  bite your lip
  •  accident
  •  keep quiet
  •  denotation
  •  button your lip
  •  as demonstrated
  •  button one’s lip
  •  like two peas in a pod
  •  consistent
  •  button it
  •  antagonism
  •  disagreement
  •  similar
  •  fine line
  •  button one’s lips
  •  button up one’s lip
  •  as alike as two peas in a pod
  •  as indicated
  •  button up your lips
  •  alter ego
  •  as mentioned
  •  as shown
  •  button up one’s lips
  •  division
  •  flounder
  •  complementary
  •  bite your tongue
  •  as noted
  •  equal
  •  as illustrated
  •  make a long story short
  •  affinity
  •  evenness
  •  put a sock in it
  •  close your mouth
  •  beautiful union
  •  long story short
  •  adequate
  •  cut a long story short
  •  bite one’s lip
  •  as evidenced
  •  button up your lip
  •  blunder
  •  companion
  •  same
  •  button your lips

How can the word converse be used in a sentence?

The word converse can be used in many different sentences in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definition. You can also try making flashcards or quizzes for yourself to see how good your vocabulary is. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today. Below are a couple of different examples of the word converse to get you started. 

In the first-class carriage of a train, Edward Young heard the vain converse of the world – the love of fame inspired his complete short stories book.

Saki was on the fence whether she wanted to converse with the other children. She brought over a few toys of peace to break the ice. 

Overall, the word converse means to speak with or chat with. It can also be sued in logic to refer to a certain type of proof, or sued as a noun to mean an opposite.

Sources:

  1. converse – definition and meaning | Word Nik 
  2. Converse synonyms – 1 073 Words and Phrases for Converse | Power Thesaurus 
  3. Converse Meaning | Best 22 Definitions of Converse | Your Dictionary  
  4. Converse antonyms – 281 Opposites of Converse | Power Thesaurus