Small Talk

B1 16+

Pronunciation: /smɔl tɔk/

Definitions of small talk

noun casual conversation about unimportant or superficial topics

Example Sentences

A1 I enjoy making small talk with my neighbors.

A2 During the party, we engaged in some small talk to break the ice.

B1 Small talk can be a useful skill in networking events.

B2 She is a master at small talk and can start a conversation with anyone.

C1 Small talk may seem superficial, but it can lead to deeper connections.

C2 In professional settings, small talk is often used to build rapport with clients.

Examples of small talk in a Sentence

formal During the networking event, we engaged in small talk to break the ice.

informal I hate making small talk at parties, it always feels so forced.

slang Let's skip the small talk and get straight to the point.

figurative Their relationship was based on surface-level small talk, with no real depth.

Grammatical Forms of small talk

past tense

small talked

plural

small talks

comparative

smaller talk

superlative

smallest talk

present tense

small talks

future tense

will small talk

perfect tense

has small talked

continuous tense

is small talking

singular

small talk

positive degree

small talk

infinitive

to small talk

gerund

small talking

participle

small talked

Origin and Evolution of small talk

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The term 'small talk' originated from the Old English word 'smæl' meaning 'thin, slender, narrow' and 'tacan' meaning 'to touch, take hold of'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe light conversation or chit-chat, the term 'small talk' has evolved to encompass any informal or casual conversation that is not deeply profound or meaningful.