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As casual conversation simply means an idle chatter, I wanted to know of a word which means a "formal talk". Not completely formal, but rather a word for a conversation where people talk only for a purpose; a word which would mean "not casual, but less formal." This didn't help.

Think of a person(a loner) who doesn't like making friends but can talk with others only if the conversation holds some purpose. What would be the word used to describe such a conversation?

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  • It would be helpful if you included a sentence in which the word could be used.
    – KillingTime
    Apr 4, 2021 at 8:54
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    'Serious' seems spot on, 'a serious conversation' (which needn't be grave), but I think this is ELL-level. Also 'a meaningful conversation'. 'Non-trivial' is probably the wrong register. But reasonable research is needed (antonyms of 'trivial' etc).
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Apr 4, 2021 at 9:49
  • @killingtime I wish I could include a meaningful sentence. Sorry if my explanation seems vague. The only situation I could think of was a lonely person who would indulge only in conversations that hold some purpose.
    – Aopsicle
    Apr 4, 2021 at 19:28
  • @edwin-ashworth I was considering "serious" before, but then again serious seems to hold a lot of weight. Meaningful is a great choice though! Thanks. Antonyms of trivial are really trivial.
    – Aopsicle
    Apr 4, 2021 at 19:34
  • Would you be willing to have a frank conversation with me? Don
    – rhetorician
    Apr 4, 2021 at 20:04

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I'd say 'serious' or 'meaningful' are good, but how about 'purposeful' or 'genuine' or 'compelling' or 'thought-provoking'?

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  • "Serious" seemed murky to me. "Meaningful" is a wise choice. Funny that "serious" and "meaningful" are synonyms. I considered "purposeful" before but I couldn't relate it to the situation I framed, but may work as an alternative. "Genuine", "compelling", "thought-provoking" - no. I wish I could upvote for "meaningful".
    – Aopsicle
    Apr 4, 2021 at 19:43

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