Well, I should say, it isn’t a word in the dictionary. Some people use and respond to the word without a second thought, as if the word converse was only a pair of sneakers.

Converse means, among other things, to talk with another or others, and to exchange views and opinions by talking. When people use the word conversate they could instead simply use the word “talk” or “talking”.

Some people realize the word is not correct English but couldn’t care less. As long as they understand and are understood, it is their opinion that the dictionary is behind the times, not them. After all, the word bling was added in 1999 to describe flashy jewelry and the word google was added in 2001 to describe a search for something on the internet so it’s not so far fetched to imagine that the word conversate could be added as another way to say… well, converse.

Some people honestly don’t know that conversate isn’t a word but it’s important for them to realize that when they use it they are put at a disadvantage in their school or professional lives. It is unlikely that they will be corrected but you can rest assured that they will be judged by their apparent inability to use words correctly.

If using any word incorrectly has become a habit it’s not too difficult to overcome the practice of using it. The dictionary is a good place to start but asking for advice or help from others is also beneficial in compelling you to find other ways to say what you mean and mean what you say.