“Conversate” means to have a conversation or to talk, but it is generally treated as a nonstandard form. Merriam-Webster defines it as synonymous with the verb sense of converse, while also noting that it is widely frowned upon in formal writing. Dictionary.com gives a similar definition and also labels it nonstandard.

So the practical rule is simple:

✅ We conversed for an hour after dinner.
Cambridge lists converse as a verb meaning to have a conversation with someone.

⚠️ We conversated for an hour after dinner.
Many people will understand this, and dictionaries do record it, but major usage guidance treats it as nonstandard.

✅ We talked for an hour after dinner.
In ordinary conversation, talked is often the most natural choice.

✅ The guests conversed politely throughout the evening.
This works well in formal or elevated writing because converse is standard and carries a more formal tone. Cambridge explicitly labels converse as formal.

The most common mistake is assuming that because conversate appears in dictionaries, it must be interchangeable with converse in every setting.

It isn’t.

Merriam-Webster is very clear: conversate is recorded as a real word, but it is still labeled nonstandard, and that does not make it the best choice for formal writing. Grammarly makes the same point and recommends converse when you want the standard form.

Another common mistake is thinking the debate is only about correctness. In practice, it is often about register and audience:

Use this rule:

A simple memory trick:

conversation gives you the idea, but converse gives you the standard verb.

So if you want the safe choice, go with:

converse = standard
conversate = nonstandard