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Let's say I had a good conversation with another person. It had a good flow to it and it didn't feel like it was just one sided.

Is there an adjective or an adverb to describe this kind of conversation?

Thanks!

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    we had a GOOD talk!
    – lbf
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 15:16
  • Mutually beneficial conversation?
    – k1eran
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 18:12
  • 1
    It may not necessarily be mutually beneficial in a sense that both sides got what they wanted. However, it may still be productive by virtue of having a good "flow" to the conversation on both sides.
    – Sun
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 19:42
  • Keep it simple: you had an 'enjoyable conversation'.
    – alan
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 19:57
  • Meaningful/ effective communication
    – Ram Pillai
    Commented Mar 2, 2020 at 16:11

5 Answers 5

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I would suggest bilateral communication. Edit: Or, unilateral communication for the opposite.

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a productive talk. TFD

  1. Marked by abundant production or achievement:
  2. Yielding favorable or useful results; constructive:

As in:

We had a very productive conversation!

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  • or "productive intercourse" .. I swear that was a common term that you would read 40 years ago without it causing snickers
    – Tom22
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 22:42
  • @Tom22 indeed!!
    – lbf
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 22:50
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I suppose the opposite of a one-sided conversation is a two-sided conversation, but it’s not very common or idiomatic.

My first thought was balanced conversation, which does at least appear to be used in several articles, and sounds idiomatic to me.

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You already provided the answer in your own question: a good conversation.

The very definition of conversation (per Merriam-Webster online) is an "oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas."

Although the phrase "a one-sided conversation" is often used, it doesn't actually make logical sense. A "one-sided conversation" cannot be a conversation—as it wouldn't involve an "exchange". Logically, it would be like saying "a silent musical." Instead, it would be more accurate to say that the person attempted to have a conversation but failed.

Idiomatically, however, nobody misunderstands what a "one-sided conversation" means.

So, try a synonym like dialogue: "an exchange of ideas and opinions."

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You could say "the conversation was reciprocal" or that "it was reciprocated by the other person" to indicate that they had the same level of involvement and interest in the conversation as yourself.

From Merriam-Webster "reciprocate":

  1. to give and take mutually

  2. to return in kind or degree

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