interlocutor

Everyday

1. (formal) A person you are talking with in a conversation. tree →
2. (formal) A person or group that talks on behalf of others, especially in official talks between countries or groups. tree →
3. (old use) The person in the middle of an old-style stage show who asked the questions and led the jokes. tree →

In the lessons

A stiff, formal word met in exam passages, news and history books about talks and peace deals; in everyday life people say «the person I was talking to». In stories it tells the reader there is a two-way talk, often serious or polite. Phrases: my interlocutor, a reliable interlocutor, a trusted interlocutor.

Examples

• My interlocutor nodded but said nothing. tree →
• In a good conversation, you listen to your interlocutor. tree →
• The government wanted a trusted interlocutor to speak with the rebels. tree →
• The writer describes her interlocutor as calm and patient. tree →
• Be polite to your interlocutor, even when you disagree. tree →
• In the debate, each pupil faced an interlocutor from the other team. tree →
• The old stage show had an interlocutor who asked silly questions. tree →

Note

Countable noun: an interlocutor, interlocutors. Formal; in speech say «the person you're talking to». Stress: in-ter-LOK-yoo-tor. Not the same as «interlock» or «interpreter» (an interpreter translates between languages).