small talk

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 44-year-old listened to her colleagues’ speeches and those of other hopefuls, made small talk with fellow members and then left.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026

A quick "You okay?" followed by "Yeah, I'm fine" is surface-level small talk.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

I learned the first names of my immediate neighbors through brief elevator rides and laundry room small talk.

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2026

She half-expected to suffer through another week of lackluster group excursions and awkward small talk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

Since he had begun to show up regularly at Hobie’s, he had found a minor addiction to the small talk among the regulars who drifted in after the grill opened after seven in the morning.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy