Confabulate

Confabulate

kənˈfabyəˌlāt

Verb

  • Engage in conversation; talk.
  • (Psychiatry) Fabricate imaginary experiences as compensation for loss of memory.

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Example Sentences

“Come sit with me, and let’s confabulate for a while.”

“Due to his head injury, he might confabulate when he can’t remember something, but that shouldn’t be a lasting side effect.”

“I need to confabulate with you about our plans for the weekend.”

Word Origin

Latin, early 17th century

Why this word?

“Confabulate” is a formal term for an everyday activity — chatting. If you want to refer to a conversation about a serious topic, or perhaps a business negotiation, “confabulate” is an appropriately distinguished term. In Latin, “fabula” means “fable” and “con” is a prefix meaning “come together.” The psychiatric context of “confabulate” is closer to this original meaning. A person suffering memory loss may make up stories, or fables, to compensate for the gaps in their memory. 

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