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Meaning & use

conflab

noun·Advancedinformal

Last updated

UK/ˈkɒnflæb/
US/ˈkɑːnflæb/

Meaning

  1. nouncountableinformal

    A relaxed, informal conversation, often a private one between a few people.

    Grammar: Countable and usually in a casual style: a quick conflab. It is a variant of confab.

    Patterns

    • have a conflab with someone
    • a conflab about something

    The coaches had a quick conflab on the sideline.

    After dinner, the neighbors had a long conflab over the fence.

    I need a conflab with you before the meeting.

Word forms

pluralconflabs

Common combinations

have a conflab
Let's have a conflab before we decide.
quick conflab
The pair held a quick conflab in the hallway.
friendly conflab
Their friendly conflab lasted until the coffee went cold.

Synonyms and how they differ

chat
Chat is the most common and neutral word, while conflab sounds a little old-fashioned and playful.
confab
Confab is the usual spelling of the same word and is more common than conflab.
huddle
A huddle is a short, close and often serious discussion, while a conflab is more relaxed.

Word family

confab noun
The more standard spelling of conflab
confabulate verb
To chat, or in psychology to fill memory gaps with invented details
confabulation noun
A conversation, or an invented memory

Commonly confused: conflab or conference?

conflab vs conference

A conference is a formal organized meeting, while a conflab is a casual chat.

Practice

The two friends stopped on the street for a quick ____ before going home.

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