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definitions

prattle

[prat-l]
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verb (used without object), prat·tled, prat·tling.
  1. to talk in a foolish or simple-minded way; chatter; babble.
verb (used with object), prat·tled, prat·tling.
  1. to utter by chattering or babbling.
noun
  1. the act of prattling.
  2. chatter; babble: the prattle of children.
  3. a babbling sound: the prattle of water rushing over stones.

Origin of prattle

1525–35; < Middle Low German pratelen to chatter, frequentative of praten to prate; see -le
Related formsprat·tler, nounprat·tling·ly, adverb

Synonyms for prattle

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1. gab, jabber, gabble, blab.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for prattle

ranting, jargon, blubbering, jabber, burble, drivel, murmur, gossip, gibberish, gabble, chatter, gab, twaddle, jabbering

Examples from the Web for prattle

Contemporary Examples of prattle

  • Then, since the Battleground states are something about which the Talking Heads like to prattle.

    The Daily Beast logo
    The Prattleground States

    Megan McArdle

    November 7, 2012

Historical Examples of prattle

  • You know how readily we get into prattle upon a subject dear to our heart: you can excuse it.

  • As for all the prattle about pre-Raphaelitism, I confess to you I am weary of it, and long have been.

  • The boy had pattered French with the former since he had first begun to prattle at all.

  • He listened to people's talk as though it had been children's prattle.

    Romance

    Joseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer

  • Her prattle seeped in and he became aware of it and what she was saying.

    Life Sentence

    James McConnell

British Dictionary definitions for prattle

prattle

verb
  1. (intr) to talk in a foolish or childish way; babble
  2. (tr) to utter in a foolish or childish way
noun
  1. foolish or childish talk
Derived Formsprattler, nounprattlingly, adverb

Word Origin for prattle

C16: from Middle Low German pratelen to chatter; see 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 prattle
v.

1530s, frequentative of prate (q.v.). Related: Prattled; prattling. The noun is attested from 1550s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper