Conversational implicature refers to the idea that speakers often imply more than what they explicitly say during a conversation. This concept, introduced by philosopher H.P. Grice, suggests that listeners can infer additional meaning based on context, shared knowledge, and social norms. For example, if someone asks, "Do you want to go to the movies?" and the response is, "I have homework," the listener might understand that the person is not interested in going out. This form of communication relies on the principle of cooperation, where participants in a conversation assume that each person is trying to be helpful and relevant. Conversational implicature can lead to misunderstandings if the implied meaning is not recognized, highlighting the importance of context in effective communication.