chatter
1 of 2verb
chat·ter ˈcha-tər 
chattered; chattering; chatters
intransitive verb
1
: to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but inarticulate and indistinct
squirrels chattered angrily
2
: to talk idly, incessantly, or fast
3
a
: to click repeatedly or uncontrollably
teeth chattering with cold
b
: to vibrate rapidly in cutting
a chattering tool
c
: to vibrate especially audibly as a consequence of repeated sticking and slipping
chattering brakes
transitive verb
: to utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly
chatterer noun
chattery
ˈcha-tə-rē
adjective chatter
2 of 2noun
1
: the action or sound of chattering
2
: idle talk : prattle
3
: electronic and especially radio communication between individuals engaged in a common or related form of activity
also : such chatter regarding future hostile activities
4
: a person who participates in online chat
Excite, Inc. … reports that users log a total of 7.5 to 8 million chat minutes on an average day. Half of online chatters are aged 18 to 34, and 15 percent are under age 17.
Rebecca Piirto Heath
Rebecca Piirto Heath
Synonyms
Verb
- babble
- blab
- cackle
- chaffer [British]
- chat
- chin [slang]
- converse
- gab
- gabble
- gas
- jabber
- jaw
- kibitz
- kibbitz
- natter
- palaver
- patter
- prate
- prattle
- rap
- rattle
- run on
- schmooze
- shmooze
- talk
- visit
Noun
- backchat
- cackle
- causerie
- chat
- chin music
- chin-wag [slang]
- chitchat
- confab
- confabulation
- gab
- gabfest
- gossip
- jangle
- jaw
- natter [chiefly British]
- palaver
- patter
- rap
- schmooze
- small talk
- table talk
- talk
- tête-à-tête
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb Children chattered in the middle of the playground. My teeth were chattering from the cold. Birds chattered in the trees. Noun heard the chatter of squirrels pleasant chatter over morning coffee
Recent Examples on the Web Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2022 Give them a minute and Civic folks will chatter about its reliability, fuel economy and value. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 27 Aug. 2022 When Mel stops by the bar, Jack's serving a hipster couple who chatter about glamping in an Airstream. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 20 July 2022 In the United States, there were 6.8 million fewer golfers in 2018 versus 2003, and 800 courses closed in the past decade, leading to chatter about how to repurpose the open spaces. Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 July 2022 The time on the range was extended by Billy Horschel, who came over for a big hug and began to chatter away. Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2022 In the United States, there were 6.8 million fewer golfers in 2018 versus 2003 and 800 courses closed in the past decade, leading to chatter about how to repurpose the open spaces. Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 July 2021 Note when your brain starts to chatter with anxiety and bring your focus back to your body. New York Times, 20 July 2021 She’s not one to chatter on about her woes to a customer. Liz Balmaseda, orlandosentinel.com, 7 Mar. 2021 Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2022 Offseason chatter had the Wolfpack as one of the favorites in the ACC and possible playoff contenders – and much of those expectations made sense. Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022 Many locals were indifferent to the monument; some early Internet chatter and magazine coverage helped alert tourists. Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2022 Unclear; Paul Schrader, who helmed the film, has already disavowed the reboot—which is funny, as early chatter has compared the series to The Canyons. Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2022 Now Phoenix is linked to one of James' teammates in trade chatter. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 30 Aug. 2022 Junior Jamil Burroughs had a lot of offseason chatter at defensive end but he was listed as the backup to Tim Smith. Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, 29 Aug. 2022 Their charm was apparent, especially during chatter in between songs that brought piercing screams in reply. Teta Alim, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2022 But there has been increased chatter recently about the standalone Hulk project. Chris Smith, BGR, 25 Aug. 2022 See More
Verb
Midways were packed and chatter overhead among visitors on Saturday included positive comments about the art being shown in a free-to-attend community setting. Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2022 Give them a minute and Civic folks will chatter about its reliability, fuel economy and value. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 27 Aug. 2022 When Mel stops by the bar, Jack's serving a hipster couple who chatter about glamping in an Airstream. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 20 July 2022 In the United States, there were 6.8 million fewer golfers in 2018 versus 2003, and 800 courses closed in the past decade, leading to chatter about how to repurpose the open spaces. Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 July 2022 The time on the range was extended by Billy Horschel, who came over for a big hug and began to chatter away. Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2022 In the United States, there were 6.8 million fewer golfers in 2018 versus 2003 and 800 courses closed in the past decade, leading to chatter about how to repurpose the open spaces. Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 July 2021 Note when your brain starts to chatter with anxiety and bring your focus back to your body. New York Times, 20 July 2021 She’s not one to chatter on about her woes to a customer. Liz Balmaseda, orlandosentinel.com, 7 Mar. 2021 Noun
People in the crowd chatter about the possibility of the entire event being another giveaway stunt for his channel. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2022 Offseason chatter had the Wolfpack as one of the favorites in the ACC and possible playoff contenders – and much of those expectations made sense. Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022 Many locals were indifferent to the monument; some early Internet chatter and magazine coverage helped alert tourists. Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2022 Unclear; Paul Schrader, who helmed the film, has already disavowed the reboot—which is funny, as early chatter has compared the series to The Canyons. Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2022 Now Phoenix is linked to one of James' teammates in trade chatter. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 30 Aug. 2022 Junior Jamil Burroughs had a lot of offseason chatter at defensive end but he was listed as the backup to Tim Smith. Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, 29 Aug. 2022 Their charm was apparent, especially during chatter in between songs that brought piercing screams in reply. Teta Alim, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2022 But there has been increased chatter recently about the standalone Hulk project. Chris Smith, BGR, 25 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English chatteren, of imitative origin
First Known Use
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing chatter
Kids Definition
chatter 1 of 2
verb
chat·ter ˈcha-tər
chattered; chattering
1
: to talk fast without thinking or without stopping
My brothers chattered during the entire trip.
2
: to make quick sounds that suggest speech but lack meaning
Monkeys chattered in the trees.
3
: to make clicking sounds by hitting together again and again
My teeth are chattering from the cold.
chatter
2 of 2noun
1
: the act or sound of chattering
the chatter of squirrels
the chatter of teeth
2
: quick or unimportant talk
chattery
adjective
as in colloquial
having the style and content of everyday conversation writes a chattery advice column for the local paper Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- colloquial
- chatty
- gossipy
- conversational
- talkative
- rambling
- newsy
- familiar
- communicative
- dishy
- casual
- informal
- intimate
- digressive
- discursive
- expansive
- garrulous
- tell-all
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- literary
- bookish
- solemn
- dignified
- formal
- ceremonious
- elevated
- stately