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Synonyms

chitchat

American  
[chit-chat] / ˈtʃɪtˌtʃæt /

noun

  • chitchats
    plural
  1. light conversation; casual talk; gossip.


verb (used without object)

  • chitchats,
    present (3rd person singular)
  • chitchatted,
    past participle,  past
  • chitchatting
    present participle
  1. to indulge in chitchat; gossip.

chitchat British  
/ ˈtʃɪtˌtʃæt /

noun

  1. talk of a gossipy nature

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to gossip

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future


Etymology

Origin of chitchat

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


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Now, generational analysis seems to be everywhere; from TV comedies like Hacks and Only Murders in the Building, to office-place chitchat.

From BBC ● May 17, 2026

“You’re walking down the road. You see a coffee spot, get some coffee. Then you chitchat and then keep walking and do the same thing all over and over again.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026

The next two hours were filled with chitchat 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.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2025

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.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2025

Heaps of things have happened, but I often think I’m boring you with my dreary chitchat and that you’d just as soon have fewer letters.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

Usually these World Cup chitchats start with silly icebreakers before the important stuff.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026

“She’s outgoing, liberal, kind, chitchats a lot, really supportive of her kids’ sports team, goes to everything, she and her husband.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 18, 2018

They also were true events, shows that moved along as entertainment spectacles rather than James Lipton-esque chitchats.

From Salon ● Apr. 4, 2011

Porter said that she’d ridden the House subway with Lee just the day before and that they’d chitchatted amiably.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2023

I’d met his wife before so we hugged and chitchatted, but it was the first time I’d seen his new baby.

From Slate ● Oct. 18, 2018

As opposed to the prayer service, where congregants prayed using different prayer books, at different paces and chitchatted throughout, Kasich received a polite welcome.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 16, 2016

“It went really good up at Adidas today,” West told Kardashian, and they chitchatted for a minute like any married couple.

From New York Times ● Apr. 10, 2015

We chitchatted a bit and I left, and on the way home I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos

And nothing stops passengers from loudly chitchatting with seatmates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

“When you’re at Target or on Amazon, you’re not interacting with anybody and chitchatting about books or getting recommendations. I think people are craving that a lot.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2025

I sat at the table closest to the counter, chitchatting with the owner, until my food came out.

From Salon ● May 21, 2024

Instead of chitchatting while fishing for both your checkbook and a pen to write on, please just swipe a debit card or pay cash while having your money ready.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 11, 2022

“No chitchatting today, Henry. That call from Cuba might come in anytime now.”

From "The Red Umbrella" by Christina Gonzalez

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