chatter

American  

[chat-er] / ˈtʃæt ər /

verb (used without object)

1. to talk rapidly in a foolish or purposeless way; jabber.

2. to utter a succession of quick, inarticulate, speechlike sounds, as monkeys or certain birds.

   Synonyms:

   click, clatter

3. to make a rapid clicking noise by striking together.

   His teeth were chattering from the cold.

4. Machinery. (of a cutting tool or piece of metal) to vibrate during cutting so as to produce surface flaws on the work.

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter rapidly or purposelessly.

2. to cause to chatter, as the teeth from cold.

noun

1. purposeless or foolish talk.

2. a series of waves or ridges on the surface of a piece of metal that has been imperfectly drawn or extruded.

3. the act or sound of chattering.

4. online, phone, radio, or other electronic communication among people, often involving a harmful political activity such as espionage or terrorism.

   Officials were able to intercept and identify a high level of terrorist chatter in the weeks before the bombing attempt.

chatter British  

/ ˈtʃætə /

verb

1. to speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly; prattle

2. (intr) (of birds, monkeys, etc) to make rapid repetitive high-pitched noises resembling human speech

3. (intr) (of the teeth) to click together rapidly through cold or fear

4. (intr) to make rapid intermittent contact with a component, as in machining, causing irregular cutting

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noun

1. idle or foolish talk; gossip

2. the high-pitched repetitive noise made by a bird, monkey, etc

3. the rattling of objects, such as parts of a machine

4. Also called: chatter mark.  the undulating pattern of marks in a machined surface from the vibration of the tool or workpiece

Other Word Forms

• chatteringly adverb
• chattery adjective
• outchatter verb (used with object)
• unchattering adjective

Etymology

Origin of chatter

1200–50; Middle English chateren; imitative

Example Sentences

Patrons— families with young children, groups of chattering friends, couples on dates, and solo diners—sit at green picnic tables, their plates piled with food.

From Literature

Gingersnipes took off through the dense woods, scrambling over logs and beneath branches, racing toward the thrumming sound of animal chatter.

From Literature

"There is a lot of pressure on the dogs to behave in those environments", she said, which involves a host of distractions - including food, children, chatter and other furry friends.

From BBC

At the other end, three nuns from Chicago quietly chatter, favoring passers-by with beneficent smiles.

From Barron's

This suggests prices can run further and we will likely hear more recession fear chatter.

From Barron's

Related Words

• babble
• blather
• chat
• chitchat
• gossip