Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun discourse

3 senses of discourse

Sense 1
discourse -- (extended verbal expression in speech or writing)
       => language unit, linguistic unit -- (one of the natural units into which linguistic messages can be analyzed)

Sense 2
sermon, discourse, preaching -- (an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service))
       => address, speech -- (the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience; "he listened to an address on minor Roman poets")

Sense 3
discussion, treatment, discourse -- (an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic; "the book contains an excellent discussion of modal logic"; "his treatment of the race question is badly biased")
       => communication, communicating -- (the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information; "they could not act without official communication from Moscow")

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb discourse

3 senses of discourse

Sense 1
discourse, talk about, discuss -- (to consider or examine in speech or writing; "The author talks about the different aspects of this question"; "The class discussed Dante's `Inferno'")
       => cover, treat, handle, plow, deal, address -- (act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression; "This book deals with incest"; "The course covered all of Western Civilization"; "The new book treats the history of China")

Sense 2
converse, discourse -- (carry on a conversation)
       => talk, speak -- (exchange thoughts; talk with; "We often talk business"; "Actions talk louder than words")

Sense 3
hold forth, discourse, dissertate -- (talk at length and formally about a topic; "The speaker dissertated about the social politics in 18th century England")
       => talk, speak -- (exchange thoughts; talk with; "We often talk business"; "Actions talk louder than words")