Chatter — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈcha-tər/ chat·ter

Meaning & Definition of Chatter

Chatter (verb)

  1. to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but inarticulate and indistinct
  2. to talk idly, incessantly, or fast
  3. to click repeatedly or uncontrollably

Chatter (noun)

  1. the action or sound of chattering
  2. idle talk, prattle
  3. electronic and especially radio communication between individuals engaged in a common or related form of activity; also, such chatter regarding future hostile activities

Chatter (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this

    "pleasant chatter over morning coffee"

    similar: backchat, cackle, causerie, chat, 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
    related: colloquy, conference, discourse, parley, symposium, debate, dialogue, exchange, give-and-take, cross talk, happy talk, yak, yammer, yap

  2. loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound

    "the chatter of the ship's engine kept us awake all night"

    similar: babel, blare, bluster, bowwow, brawl, bruit (archaic), cacophony, clamor, clangor, decibel(s), din, discordance, katzenjammer, noise, racket, rattle, roar
    related: discord, dissonance, commotion, furor, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, rumpus, tumult, uproar, clatter, jangle, bang, blast, boom, clap, crack, crash
    opposite: quiet, silence, silentness, still, stillness
    near: calm, hush, lull, quietude, serenity, tranquility

Chatter (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to engage in casual or rambling conversation

    "chattered idly while waiting in line"

    similar: babble, blab, cackle, chaffer (British), chat, chin (slang), converse, gab, gabble, gas, jabber, jaw, kibitz, natter, palaver, patter, prate, prattle, rap, rattle, run on, schmooze, talk, twitter, visit, blow smoke, chew the fat, shoot the breeze, talk a blue streak
    related: gossip, tattle, descant, discuss, expatiate, yak, yammer, yap

  2. to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and usually unintelligibly

    "the parrot chatters all day"

    similar: babble, bumble, chat, drivel, drool, gabble, gibber, jabber, prattle, sputter
    related: blabber, blather, bleat, blither, gab, jangle, jaw, patter, prate, rattle, run on, smatter, tittle-tattle, troll, yak, chunter (British), maunder, mouth, mumble, murmur, mutter, stammer, stutter, screech, shout, shriek
    near: articulate, enunciate, pronounce

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Chatter

The most common words with a similar meaning to Chatter:

Slang: chin-wag, chin
Chiefly British: natter
Archaic: bruit
British: chaffer
backchat, cackle, causerie, chat, chin music, chitchat, confab, confabulation, gab, gabfest, gossip, jangle, jaw, palaver, patter, rap, schmooze, small talk, table talk, talk, tête-à-tête, babel, blare, bluster, bowwow, brawl, cacophony, clamor, clangor, decibel(s), din, discordance, katzenjammer, noise, racket, rattle, roar, babble, blab, converse

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Chatter

Words with the opposite meaning of Chatter:

quiet, silence, silentness, still, stillness

Related Words for Chatter

colloquy, conference, discourse, parley, symposium, debate, dialogue, exchange, give-and-take, cross talk, happy talk, yak, yammer, yap, discord, dissonance, commotion, furor, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, rumpus, tumult, uproar, clatter, bang, blast, boom, clap, crack

Near Antonyms of Chatter

calm, hush, lull, quietude, serenity, tranquility, articulate, enunciate, pronounce

Word Forms of Chatter

Inflections: chattered, chattering, chatters

Derived words: chatterer (noun), chattery (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Chatter

Middle English chatteren, of imitative origin

First known use: 13th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Chatter

chatter mark

Frequently Asked Questions about Chatter

What does "Chatter" mean?

"Chatter" means to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but inarticulate and indistinct. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but inarticulate and indistinct. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Chatter"?

Other words for "Chatter" include backchat, cackle, causerie, chat, chin music, chin-wag, chitchat and confab. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Chatter" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Chatter"?

There are 116 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Chatter". Common alternatives include backchat, cackle, causerie, chat, chin music, chin-wag, chitchat, confab, confabulation and gab.

What is the opposite of "Chatter"?

Antonyms of "Chatter" include quiet, silence, silentness, still and stillness. Near antonyms include calm, hush, lull and quietude.

How do you use "Chatter" in a sentence?

Examples of "Chatter" in a sentence: "pleasant chatter over morning coffee"; "the chatter of the ship's engine kept us awake all night"; "chattered idly while waiting in line".

Is "Chatter" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Chatter" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Chatter"?

"Chatter" is pronounced /ˈcha-tər/ and divided into syllables as chat·ter.

What is the origin of the word "Chatter"?

"Chatter" comes from Middle English chatteren, of imitative origin. First known use: 13th centuryi.