chatverb [ I ]
uk/tʃæt/us/tʃæt/-tt-A2 to talk to someone in a friendly informal way:
She spends hours on the phone chatting to her friends.
We were just chatting about what we did last weekend.
Whenever I walk in, I always find the two of them chatting away (= talking eagerly).
A2 to take part in a discussion that involves sending messages over the internet, by smartphone, etc.:
Use the app to chat and send photos free from anywhere in the world.
More examples
- I'd love to stop and chat but I'm rather pressed for time.
- We were just walking along, chatting.
- Half an hour later, she was smiling and chatting as if nothing had happened.
- We spent a very jolly evening together, chatting and drinking.
- He soon nosed out the details of the accident by chatting innocently to people and making some phone calls.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Informal talking & conversation
- a problem shared is a problem halved idiom
- bants
- blarney
- chatter
- chew
- confab
- conversation
- conversation-stopper
- exchange
- gas
- jaw
- make yourself understood idiom
- natter
- orally
- pass
- pillow talk
- shoptalk
- understand
- vox pop
- wash your dirty linen in public idiom
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Internet terminology
Phrasal verb(s)
chat sb up
chatnoun [ C or U ]
uk/tʃæt/us/tʃæt/A2 a friendly, informal conversation:
Why don't you give me a call and we'll have a chat?
I had a chat with my boss today about a possible salary increase.
It was the usual idle chat (= conversation about unimportant things).
See also
chit-chat
a discussion that involves sending messages over the internet, by phone, using a messaging service, etc.:
How do I start a group chat?
More examples
- I'll come by your house one day this week and we can have a chat.
- We had a real girlie chat.
- I was just passing by , so I thought I'd drop in for a chat.
- Our little chat has raised my spirits .
- She's always on the run and never has time for a chat.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Informal talking & conversation
- a problem shared is a problem halved idiom
- bants
- blarney
- chatter
- chew
- confab
- conversation
- conversation-stopper
- exchange
- gas
- jaw
- make yourself understood idiom
- natter
- orally
- pass
- pillow talk
- shoptalk
- understand
- vox pop
- wash your dirty linen in public idiom
See more results »