talk like a book
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To talk pedantically, or using excessively difficult or literary words.
Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt
Nói một cách sách vở, sử dụng từ ngữ khó hoặc văn học quá mức
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
People ſhould not vvrite as they talk, except in letters (vvhich are but a converſation in vvriting): it is too careleſs. And they neither can nor ought to ſpeak as they vvrite, for this vvould be unnatural. I ſuppose it vvas first intended as a compliment to a perſon to ſay, He talks like a book; b
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To talk precisely and with authority.
Register: informal
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “talk like a book” mean?
To talk pedantically, or using excessively difficult or literary words.
Is “talk like a book” formal or informal?
talk like a book is generally informal.