What does "chatter" mean?
Talk, especially meaningless or unimportant talk.
Chatter
/ˈtʃætə/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Talk, especially meaningless or unimportant talk.
- Grammar: chatter is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: babble, blab, prattle, small talk.
- Useful contrasts: instant silence, profound silence, be quiet.
- Usage evidence: Her continuous chatter vexes me.
How to use "chatter"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "chatter" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "chatter" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "chatter" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "chatter" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "chatter" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "babble" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "chatter", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Talk, especially meaningless or unimportant talk. uncountable, usually
"Although hardly coming under my theme, I cannot omit this: "Against a woman's chatter: Taste at night fasting a root of radish, that day the chatter cannot harm thee.""
- 2 One who chats.
- 3 noisy talk wordnet
- 4 The sound of talking. uncountable, usually
- 5 A user of livestream chat. Internet
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 the high-pitched continuing noise made by animals (birds or monkeys) wordnet
- 7 The vocalisations of a Eurasian magpie, Pica pica. uncountable, usually
- 8 A user of chat rooms. Internet
"During the chat sessions, two outreach team members would engage in a conversation about the topic chosen for that event in the main chat room and entice other chatters to join in."
- 9 the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine wordnet
- 10 The vocalisations of various birds or other animals. uncountable, usually
"The hare cried and complained of the terrible February cold and the disgusting chatter of the owls[.]"
- 11 An intermittent noise, as from vibration. uncountable, usually
"Proper brake adjustment will help to reduce the chatter."
- 12 In national security, the degree of communication between suspect groups and individuals, used to gauge the degree of expected terrorist activity. uncountable, usually
"The NSA is concerned about increased chatter between known terror groups."
- 13 The situation where a drill or similar tool vibrates and tears the material rather than cutting it cleanly. uncountable, usually
Verb
- 1 To talk idly. intransitive
"They knitted and chattered the whole time."
- 2 speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly wordnet
- 3 To make a noise by rapid collisions. intransitive, usually
"He was so cold that his teeth were chattering."
- 4 make noise as if chattering away wordnet
- 5 To utter sounds which somewhat resemble language, but are inarticulate and indistinct.
"The jay makes answer, as the magpie chatters with delight."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 talk socially without exchanging too much information wordnet
- 7 cut unevenly with a chattering tool wordnet
- 8 click repeatedly or uncontrollably wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"Her continuous chatter vexes me."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "chatter"?
Common synonyms include: babble, blab, prattle, small talk, accent, accents.
How do you use "chatter" in a sentence?
Her continuous chatter vexes me.
How do you pronounce "chatter"?
Pronounced /ˈtʃætə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English chateren, from earlier cheteren, chiteren (“to twitter, chatter, jabber”), of imitative origin. Compare Saterland Frisian tjoaterje (“to chatter”), West Frisian tsjotterje (“to chatter”), Dutch schateren, schetteren (“chatter”), Dutch koeteren (“jabber”), Middle Low German kidderen (“to chatter”), German Low German queteln (“to chatter”), dialectal German kaudern (“to gobble (like a turkey)”), Danish kvidre (“to twitter, chirp”).
Etymology 2
chat + -er