prate

[preyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR prate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), prat·ed, prat·ing.

to talk excessively and pointlessly; babble: They prated on until I was ready to scream.

verb (used with object), prat·ed, prat·ing.

to utter in empty or foolish talk: to prate absurdities with the greatest seriousness.

noun

act of prating.

empty or foolish talk.

Origin of prate

1375–1425; late Middle English praten (v.) < Middle Dutch praeten. See prattle

Related formsprat·er, nounprat·ing·ly, adverbun·prat·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for prate

clash, boast, jabber, gabble, clatter, drivel, brag, chat, utter, prattle, tongue, blab, chatter, gab, talk, yack

Examples from the Web for prate

Historical Examples of prate

Is it not late in the day, Hogan, for you and me to prate of honour?
The Tavern Knight
Rafael Sabatini
Will you hold your prate, or do you want me to kick you downstairs?
One Of Them
Charles James Lever
It would be better to prate of Eric's love when he had told it thee, Swanhild.
Eric Brighteyes
H. Rider Haggard
Prate not of these follies to me—do you take me for one of your priests?
Woman on Her Own, False Gods & The Red Robe
Eugne Brieux
Tis but conceit, and nothing more, to prate of satisfaction!
Cobwebs from a Library Corner
John Kendrick Bangs

British Dictionary definitions for prate

prate

verb

(intr) to talk idly and at length; chatter

(tr) to utter in an idle or empty way

noun

idle or trivial talk; prattle; chatter

Derived Formsprater, nounpratingly, adverb

Word Origin for prate

C15: of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch prāten, Icelandic and Norwegian prata, Danish prate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for prate

early 15c., from or related to Middle Dutch praten "to chatter" (c.1400), from a West Germanic imitative root (cf. East Frisian proten, Middle Low German praten, Middle High German braten, Swedish prata "to talk, chatter"). Related: Prated; prating. As a noun from 1570s.