discourse

Meaning

Noun

1. (archaic, uncountable) Verbal exchange, conversation.
2. (uncountable) Expression in words, either speech or writing.
3. (countable) A conversation.
4. (countable) A formal lengthy exposition of some subject, either spoken or written.
5. (countable) Any rational expression, reason.
6. (countable) An institutionalized way of thinking, a social boundary defining what can be said about a specific topic (after Michel Foucault).
7. (Internet, uncountable) Lengthy, often heated debate over controversial subject matter, particularly within fandom and activist spaces. Sometimes rendered as a proper noun with the definite article (i.e. "the Discourse").
8. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) Dealing; transaction.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To engage in discussion or conversation; to converse.
2. (intransitive) To write or speak formally and at length.
3. (obsolete, transitive) To debate.
4. To exercise reason; to employ the mind in judging and inferring; to reason.
5. (obsolete, transitive) To produce or emit (musical sounds).

Synonyms

talk

🗣️

speech

conversation

chat

lecture

discussion

converse

address

gossip

words

preaching

sermon

speaking

🗣️

utterances

treatise

discuss

homily

interview

speak

🗣️

talking

dissertation

language

hold forth

vocable

argument

dispute

dissertate

colloquy

descant

treatment

thesis

talk about

treat

utterance

remark

oration

paper

essay

negotiation

preach

harangue

debate

elocution

conversations

dissert

disquisition

chatting

controversy

monograph

memoir

Translations

discours

discurso

Diskurs

discurso

🗣️

discorso

ομιλία

Rede

discurs

conversation

Vortrag

🗣️

gesprek

🗣️

conversa

spreken

🗣️

conversatie

conversazione

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈdɪskɔː(ɹ)s/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: discours

In summary

From Middle English discours, borrowed from Middle French discours (“conversation, speech”), from Latin discursus (“the act of running about”), from Latin discurrō (“run about”), from dis- (“apart”) + currō (“run”). Spelling modified by influence of Middle French cours (“course”). Doublet of discursus.