Dictionary.com

prate

[ preyt ]
/ preɪt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: prate / prating 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.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of prate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM prate

prater, nounprat·ing·ly, adverbun·prat·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prate

prate
/ (preɪt) /

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 forms of prate

prater, 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
FEEDBACK