chat

1 of 2

verb

ˈchat 

chatted; chatting

intransitive verb

1

: chatter, prattle

2

a

: to talk in an informal or familiar manner

b

: to take part in an online discussion in a chat room

transitive verb

chiefly British : to talk to

especially : to talk lightly, glibly, or flirtatiously with

—often used with up

chat

2 of 2

noun

1

: idle small talk : chatter

2

: light informal or familiar talk

especially : conversation

3

[imitative] : any of several songbirds (as of the genera Emarginata or Myrmecocichla)

4

: online discussion in a chat room

also : an instance of such discussion

participate in computer chats

Synonyms

Verb

• babble
• blab
• cackle
• chaffer [British]
• chatter
• chin [slang]
• converse
• gab
• gabble
• gas
• jabber
• jaw
• kibitz
• kibbitz
• natter
• palaver
• patter
• prate
• prattle
• rap
• rattle
• run on
• schmooze
• shmooze
• talk
• twitter
• visit

Noun

• backchat
• cackle
• causerie
• chatter
• chin music
• chin-wag [slang]
• chitchat
• confab
• confabulation
• gab
• gabfest
• gossip
• jangle
• jaw
• natter [chiefly British]
• palaver
• patter
• rap
• schmooze
• small talk
• table talk
• talk
• tête-à-tête

Examples of chat in a Sentence

Verb

We chatted about our plans for the summer.

called him up to chat

She stayed up all night chatting with her friends online.

Noun

We enjoyed a chat over coffee.

software used for e-mail and chat

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In the food court, knots of women are chatting in Yiddish, one of them celebrating a grandmother’s birthday. —Talia Lavin, Curbed, 7 Nov. 2024

The trio chatted about the RHONJ cast’s growing friction and the division between costars Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga. —Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

Kotb said during a chat with the ET reporter on the Halloween set. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024

So, our chats about his vision, strategy, and leadership philosophy for the Ferretti Group in the global-hyper-niche-ultra-luxury-yacht building business are never boring. —Bill Springer, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English chatten, short for chatteren

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing chat

• chat line
• chat room
• chat show
• chat up
• chat-up line
• pas de chat

Kids Definition

chat

1 of 2 verb

ˈchat 

chatted; chatting

1

: to talk in a friendly manner about things that are not serious

2

: to take part in an online discussion in a chat room

chat

2 of 2 noun

1

: a light friendly conversation

2

: a talk held over the Internet by people using a chat room

3

: any of several songbirds with a chattering call