chitchat

[chit-chat]

noun

1. light conversation; casual talk; gossip.

verb (used without object)

chitchatted, chitchatting 

1. to indulge in chitchat; gossip.

chitchat

/ ˈtʃɪtˌtʃæt /

noun

1. talk of a gossipy nature

verb

1. (intr) to gossip

Other Word Forms

• chitchatty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chitchat¹

First recorded in 1700–10; gradational compound based on chat

Example Sentences

The next two hours were filled with chitchat in between sets: Nicole’s end-of-school-year frenzy, Rich’s musician thoughts about those sweet drum riffs and where we should all go to grab a bite after.

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Why spend energy on casual chitchat when Viv was always ready to dive deep?

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The school system’s chief financial officer, for example, doesn’t want to chitchat and won’t share data until he knows what you’ll do with it.

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“We’re getting exercise, but also being able to chitchat afterwards and meet more book lovers.”

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And since coverage in parks is rare—a tree sometimes—all the skaters usually huddle in the same shady place, making chitchat inevitable.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• gossip 
• small talk