The difference between Discourse and Talk

When used as nouns, discourse means verbal exchange, conversation, whereas talk means a conversation or discussion.

When used as verbs, discourse means to engage in discussion or conversation, whereas talk means to communicate, usually by means of speech.

check bellow for the other definitions of Discourse and Talk

  1. Discourse as a noun (uncountable, archaic):

    Verbal exchange, conversation.

  2. Discourse as a noun (uncountable):

    Expression in words, either speech or writing.

  3. Discourse as a noun (countable):

    A formal lengthy exposition of some subject, either spoken or written.

    Examples:

    "The preacher gave us a long discourse on duty."

  4. Discourse as a noun (countable):

    Any rational expression, reason.

  5. Discourse as a noun (social sciences, countable):

    An institutionalized way of thinking, a social boundary defining what can be said about a specific topic (after Michel Foucault).

  6. Discourse as a noun (obsolete):

    Dealing; transaction.

  1. Discourse as a verb (intransitive):

    To engage in discussion or conversation; to converse.

  2. Discourse as a verb (intransitive):

    To write or speak formally and at length.

  3. Discourse as a verb (obsolete, transitive):

    To debate.

  4. Discourse as a verb:

    To exercise reason; to employ the mind in judging and inferring; to reason.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Dryden"

  5. Discourse as a verb (obsolete, transitive):

    To produce or emit (musical sounds).

  1. Talk as a verb (transitive):

    To communicate, usually by means of speech.

    Examples:

    "Although I don't speak Chinese I managed to talk with the villagers using signs and gestures."

    "They sat down to talk business."

    "We talk French sometimes."

  2. Talk as a verb (transitive, informal):

    To discuss.

    Examples:

    "They sat down to talk business."

    "We're not talking rocket science here: it should be easy."

  3. Talk as a verb (intransitive, slang):

    To confess, especially implicating others.

    Examples:

    "Suppose he talks?"

    "She can be relied upon not to talk.'"

    "They tried to make me talk.'"

  4. Talk as a verb (intransitive):

    To criticize someone for something of which one is guilty oneself.

    Examples:

    "I am not the one to talk."

    "She is a fine one to talk."

    "You should talk."

    "Look who's talking."

  5. Talk as a verb (intransitive):

    To gossip; to create scandal.

    Examples:

    "People will talk."

    "Aren't you afraid the neighbours will talk?"

  6. Talk as a verb (informal, chiefly used in the present participle):

    To influence someone to express something, especially a particular stance or viewpoint or in a particular manner.

    Examples:

    "You're only sticking up for her because you like her; that's your penis talking."

    "That's not like you at all, Jared. The drugs are talking. Snap out of it!"

  1. Talk as a noun:

    A conversation or discussion; usually serious, but informal.

    Examples:

    "We need to have a talk about your homework."

  2. Talk as a noun:

    A lecture.

    Examples:

    "There is a talk on w Shakespeare tonight."

  3. Talk as a noun (preceded by {{m, the):

    ; often qualified by a following }} A major topic of social discussion.

    Examples:

    "She is the talk of the day."

    "The musical is the talk of the town."

  4. Talk as a noun (preceded by {{m, the):

    }} A customary conversation by parent(s) or guardian(s) with their (often teenaged) child about a reality of life; in particular: A customary conversation in which parent(s) explain sexual intercourse to their child. A customary conversation in which the parent(s) of a black child explain the racism and violence they may face, especially when interacting with police, and strategies to manage it.

    Examples:

    "Have you had the talk with Jay yet?"

  5. Talk as a noun (uncountable, not preceded by an {{m, article):

    }} Empty boasting, promises or claims.

    Examples:

    "The party leader's speech was all talk."

  6. Talk as a noun:

    Meeting to discuss a particular matter.

    Examples:

    "The leaders of the G8 nations are currently in talks over nuclear weapons."

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