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

Explanation

To chatter is to talk lightly or casually — to shoot the breeze or chitchat. You might chatter with your workmates about the weather or where you'll eat lunch. You probably chatter with your friends all the time without even thinking about it, gossiping or talking about unimportant things. You can call the talk itself chatter too: "The chatter in the cafeteria was so loud I couldn't hear myself think." In the 13th century, it was chateren, from an imitative Middle English root.

Example Sentences

Since then, investors have learned enough about Trump’s decision-making to disregard the chatter.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

"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 • Mar. 29, 2026

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

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

“They have ranches; they have mines. The talk, the chatter is always what’s happening to the commodity prices.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Listening to them chatter does help the time go by.

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan

Related Words

• babble
• blather
• chat
• chitchat
• gossip