prattle

American  

[prat-l] / ˈpræt l /

verb (used without object)

prattled, prattling

1. to talk in a foolish or simple-minded way; chatter; babble.

   Synonyms:

   blab, gabble, jabber, gab

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verb (used with object)

prattled, prattling

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.

prattle British  

/ ˈprætəl /

verb

1. (intr) to talk in a foolish or childish way; babble

2. (tr) to utter in a foolish or childish way

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noun

1. foolish or childish talk

Other Word Forms

• prattler noun
• prattlingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of prattle

1525–35; < Middle Low German pratelen to chatter, frequentative of praten to prate; -le

Example Sentences

Influencers and phonies and maybe even the occasional real journalist prattle on in the backgrounds of scenes telling people what to think and do, often making things worse.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2025

Sick, awesome, amazing, I continued to prattle on.

From Slate • Jun. 22, 2025

I find a similar kind of nonsensical prattle in various corners of our Blue Seattle.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2024

Without this accuracy and verification, some researchers obfuscate data broker information with prattle that mirrors marketing language.

From Scientific American • Jun. 12, 2023

Who can look into the wet-mouthed smiles of children and see a meadhall burning, or listen past their musical prattle to the midnight roar of fire ?

From "Grendel" by John Gardner