chatter
verb (used without object)
to talk rapidly in a foolish or purposeless way; jabber.
were chattering
-
past progressiveof chatter.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They were chattering innocently and said they’d been to the cookie store on Lincoln Avenue and were headed home, to a house that survived.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2025
"My teeth were chattering uncontrollably, I couldn't put together a sentence," she said.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2023
Heartsong ate the crumbles over a period of two weeks in June, until she started feeling ill; her body was shaking, her teeth were chattering and she developed a low fever.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 28, 2022
The five of them were chattering nervously, excited to be heading out on a real mission.
From New York Times ● Feb. 26, 2019
Pelicans were chattering as they fished the blue water.
From "Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell
