chat

1 of 2

verb

chatted; chatting

intransitive verb

1
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
In the latest episode of SiriusXM’s Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, the comedian and former late night host welcomed Hacks co-creator Paul W. Downs to chat about stand-up diva Deborah Vance's (Jean Smart) big return to the late night circuit on the latest season of the HBO hit. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 27 May 2025 Hurley, 59, was then captured posing for pictures at the event and the couple were seen chatting outside. Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
Tesfaye’s bold and electric presence onstage and onscreen is an intriguing counterpoint to the thoughtful and soft-spoken man who sits for a chat about his movie. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 May 2025 Phil and Rasmus were sat next to me, and were super open for a chat, outlining loads of stuff, thoroughly decent people, Phil then asked Matt Benham to come down and chat to my kids. Jay Harris, New York Times, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for chat

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chat was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chat. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

chat

1 of 2 verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on chat

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