chatter

¹chat·ter

verb \ˈcha-tər\

Definition of CHATTER

intransitive verb

1

: to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but inarticulate and indistinct <squirrels chattered angrily>

2

: to talk idly, incessantly, or fast

3

a : to click repeatedly or uncontrollably <teeth chattering with cold> b : to vibrate rapidly in cutting <a chattering tool> c : to vibrate especially audibly as a consequence of repeated sticking and slipping <chattering brakes>

transitive verb

: to utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly

— chat·ter·er noun

— chat·tery \-tə-rē\ adjective

Examples of CHATTER

1. Children chattered in the middle of the playground.
2. My teeth were chattering from the cold.
3. Birds chattered in the trees.

Origin of CHATTER

Middle English chatteren, of imitative origin

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to CHATTER

Synonyms: babble, blab, cackle, chaffer [British], chat, chin [slang], converse, gab, gabble, gas, jabber, jaw, kibitz (also kibbitz), natter, palaver, patter, prate, prattle, rap, rattle, run on, schmooze (or shmooze), talk, twitter, visit

Related Words: gossip, tattle; descant, discuss, expatiate; yak (also yack), yammer, yap

Near Antonyms: articulate, enunciate, pronounce

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with CHATTER

attar, batter, blatter, clatter, flatter, hatter, latter, matter, natter, patter, plaiter, platter, ratter, scatter, shatter, smatter, spatter, splatter, tatter