chat

¹

[chat]

verb (used without object)

chatted, chatting 

1. to converse in a familiar or informal manner.

   Synonyms: visit, gossip, chitchat, talk

2. Digital Technology.,  to participate with one or more people, through the internet, in a real-time conversation, typically as a series of short text exchanges in a specific application, as instant messaging, or by using images, voice, video, or some combination of these.

   The kids were able to chat with their grandma online.

   Join our online community to chat about TV shows.

noun

1. an informal conversation.

   We had a pleasant chat.

   Synonyms: visit, gossip, chitchat, talk

2. Digital Technology.,  a real-time conversation between two or more people over the internet or another computer network.

   Join our free video chat. Have a live chat with one of our customer service representatives.

3. any of several small Old World thrushes, especially of the genus Saxicola, having a chattering cry.

4. yellow-breasted chat.

adjective

1. Digital Technology.,  noting or relating to an online chat.

   a chat session.

verb phrase

1. chat up

   1. to talk flirtatiously with.

   2. to talk to in a friendly, open way.

Chât.

²

abbreviation

1. (especially in Bordeaux wines) Château.

chat

¹

/ tʃæt /

noun

1. informal conversation or talk conducted in an easy familiar manner

2. the exchange of messages in an internet or other network chatroom

3. any Old World songbird of the subfamily Turdinae (thrushes, etc) having a harsh chattering cry See also stonechat whinchat

4. any of various North American warblers, such as Icteria virens ( yellow-breasted chat )

5. any of various Australian wrens (family Muscicapidae ) of the genus Ephthianura and other genera

verb

1. to talk in an easy familiar way

2. to exchange messages in a chatroom

chat

²

/ tʃæt /

noun

1. archaic,  a catkin, esp a willow catkin

Other Word Forms

• chattable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chat¹

First recorded in 1400–50; (verb) late Middle English chatt(e); short for chatter

Word History and Origins

Origin of chat¹

C16: short for _chatter

Origin of chat²

C15: from French chat cat, referring to the furry appearance

Example Sentences

Some of the chat leading up to this game involved the gallows humour so close to the heart of most members of the Tartan Army.

Read more on BBC

My cousin took a photo from our group chat and uploaded it to Meta AI.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Tadej Pogacar revealed that he had a chat with Eddy Merckx after winning Il Lombardia for a record-breaking fifth straight time on Saturday, emulating the cycling icon.

Read more on Barron's

Once the dog is fed, I often flop down on the sofa with my computer to do a little more work, chatting with my son while he’s gaming on his computer.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A nurse at the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health recently started an internal chat group for employees to discuss ways to manage menopause-related symptoms and within the first week had 300 members.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• chatter 
• conversation 
• gossip