What is a word that describes the start or opening of a conversation?

Question

What is a word that describes the start or opening of a conversation either with a friend, a stranger, in a formal situation like a business meeting or in a court?

I am looking for something with a meaning along the lines of an ice-breaker, perhaps?

Elian · Answer

Make a conversation strike up.

strike up: to initiate, begin: to strike up a conversation

You can also kick off a conversation.

kick off: to start out, begin

Alternately, consider conversation starter.

Erik Kowal · Answer

A conversation opener.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Martin Smith · Answer

Conversational gambit might be one possibility.

A remark intended to open a conversation.

Melodi · Answer

I like how Dr. John Gottman calls these a "bid for connection". Or just a bid. Bids can be verbal like, "You would not believe the day I had". Or they can be nonverbal, like, sighing, or sitting next to the person, or sending them a picture or link they might like.

Answered by Melodi on April 17, 2021

What is a word that describes the start or opening of a conversation?

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