chat

¹ American  

[chat] / tʃæt /

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.

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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 American  

abbreviation

1. (especially in Bordeaux wines) Château.

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chat ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to talk in an easy familiar way

2. to exchange messages in a chatroom

chat ² British  

/ tʃæt /

noun

1. archaic a catkin, esp a willow catkin

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Other Word Forms

• chattable adjective

Etymology

Origin of chat

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

Example Sentences

In an effort to promote his company in September, Brundage posted a link to a tool he had created in a Discord chat set up for web-scraping research.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Sunga says her event brings together families, older women that bake together, Gen Z girlfriends that have got out of the group chat, people in college or young women that are exploring creative activities.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Toward the end of 2020—with Covid having pushed everyone into their respective video chat boxes—a group coalesced around Dario to break off and form their own company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

Observing her easy chat with the bartender about drinks is fun, as I appreciate people who are curious about options and details.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

People chat, and they crowd around the counter, but they know how to wait their turn.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

• chatter
• conversation
• gossip