French word

deviser

Pronunciation

IPA/dəvize/

Meaning

  • verbtalk

Example

Elles devisent longtemps chaque dimanche.

They talk at length every Sunday.

Illustration for deviser (talk)

More examples

Nous devisons de tout et de rien au café.

We chat about this and that at the cafe.

Core concept

People sitting together and trading stories, confidences, and thoughts in an unhurried conversation.

Common phrases

  • deviser entre amis

    chat with friends

  • deviser de tout et de rien

    chat about this and that

  • deviser pendant des heures

    chat for hours

Similar words

parler: To communicate ideas or information through spoken words.
discuter: To exchange opinions or information about a particular topic.
bavarder: To engage in relaxed small talk.
causer: To chat informally while passing the time.

Definition in French

S'entretenir avec quelqu'un pour partager des récits, des confidences ou des réflexions, dans un registre souvent convivial.

Word origin

French deviser comes through Old French deviser and is linked to devis, meaning a discussion or account, ultimately from Latin dividere, 'to divide'.

Usage tips

  • Deviser has a literary or somewhat formal tone, while parler or discuter is usually more natural in everyday French.

Other meanings

  • chatverb

Opposites

  • se disputerargueverb
  • se tairekeep quietverb

Word lists with this word