Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

chattering class

American  

noun

  1. well-educated members of the upper-middle or upper class who freely express especially liberal opinions or judgments on current issues and events.


Etymology

Origin of chattering class

First recorded in 1980–85

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.

It was the topic du jour among the chattering class, with notable voices like the women of the “The View,” Chelsea Handler and a former “Real Housewife of Beverly Hills” weighing in.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

Nonetheless, “the chattering class of Pyongyang certainly will, from one source or another” know the Olympic results as they come in, said John Everard, the UK’s ambassador to North Korea from 2006 to 2008.

From BBC • Aug. 4, 2024

“Maybe things aren’t as bad as the entire chattering class seems to think they are.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2021

Gordon explains that the average voter does not care about the scandals and other issues that journalists and other members of the political chattering class obsess over.

From Salon • Sep. 3, 2020

“He got good reviews internally, in terms of the chattering class, but it’s not clear yet what he’s doing,” Mr. Rath said.

From Washington Times • Apr. 28, 2019