As the name implies, interpersonal communication is “inter-person,” or between two people. But what makes interpersonal communication “interpersonal” goes way beyond numbers. Interpersonal communication is how you connect with other human beings in meaningful ways; it’s what makes up the moments that matter.

Interpersonal communication is communication between two people in which the messages exchanged significantly impact the thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships of the people involved. As this definition highlights, one difference between interpersonal communication and other communication types is that it is dyadic—that is, it involves pairs of people, or dyads. For example, when you text back and forth with your roommate between classes, exchange Facebook messages with a long-distance cousin, or chat with a co-worker when on break, you are engaging in interpersonal communication.

In addition, interpersonal communication is your primary tool for building, maintaining, and ending relationships. These relationships include friends, family members, coworkers, and romantic partners, but they also include anyone with whom you have meaningful interactions, such as classmates or group members. (In Chapters 11 and 12, we discuss communication between team members in small groups.) Because interpersonal communication impacts relationships, sharpening your interpersonal communication skills is one of the best ways to improve your relationship health and happiness. To enhance your skills, it’s helpful to first understand the four defining characteristics of interpersonal communication.