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Chatter Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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chatter

[ˈtʃætər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

social media

Chatter refers to the rapid and continuous conversation happening on social media platforms. It often involves a high volume of messages or posts being exchanged between users.

Synonyms

conversation, discussion, talk.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
chatter

Informal and can sometimes imply meaningless or idle talk.

  • He didn't pay much attention to the constant chatter of the birds outside the window
  • The kids were chattering excitedly about the upcoming holiday
conversation

Used for situations of mutual exchange of thoughts, questions, or ideas between two or more people in an engaged manner.

  • They had a pleasant conversation over coffee, sharing stories about their lives
  • The team had a conversation about the project deadlines
talk

General term for any instance of speaking between people, can be both informal or formal.

  • They had a talk about future plans after dinner
  • He often gives talks on environmental issues at different conferences
discussion

Refers to a more serious and structured exchange of ideas on a specific topic, often aiming to solve a particular issue or make a decision.

  • The committee had a lengthy discussion about the budget cuts
  • We need to have a discussion about your performance at work

Examples of usage

  • Her Twitter feed was full of chatter about the latest celebrity scandal.
  • The constant chatter in the group chat made it hard to keep up with the conversation.
Context #2 | Verb

informal

To chatter means to talk rapidly or incessantly, often in a trivial or gossipy manner.

Synonyms

babble, gossip, prattle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
chatter

Used to describe quick, informal talk that could be about various topics, often without much substance.

  • The children were chattering excitedly about their upcoming trip
  • The office was filled with the chatter of employees discussing their weekend plans
babble

Characterizes speech that is incoherent, rapid, and difficult to understand, often used in regard to babies or when someone is nervous or excited.

  • The baby began to babble happily in the crib
  • She started to babble nervously when asked about the surprise party
prattle

Used to describe talking at length in a foolish or inconsequential way, often associated with children or someone speaking without serious intent.

  • She listened to the toddler prattle on about his imaginary friends
  • He began to prattle about the movie he had just watched, not noticing if anyone was paying attention
gossip

Typically refers to conversations involving the sharing of personal or sensational information about others, often with negative connotations.

  • The coworkers gathered around the water cooler, indulging in some gossip about their manager
  • She didn't like the fact that her private life became the subject of office gossip

Examples of usage

  • She would chatter on and on about her weekend plans.
  • The children were chattering excitedly about the upcoming school trip.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • Chatter has inspired various songs and movies portraying lively conversations among friends, especially in comedies.
  • The term is often used in online media, where social platforms create 'chatter' around trends and hot topics.

Science

  • Research on animal behavior shows several species, like monkeys and birds, engage in 'chatter' to communicate with one another.
  • Chattering can also be a sign of excitement or warning in animals, reflecting social dynamics and alertness.

Psychology

  • Chatter among people can enhance social bonds, helping to build connections and reduce stress through light-hearted communication.
  • Studies suggest engaging in casual chatter can boost creativity and problem-solving abilities, as it encourages free-thinking.

Literature

  • Many literary works use the idea of 'chatter' to depict busy social scenes, illustrating characters' relationships and social dynamics.
  • Authors often contrast 'chatter' with silence to highlight moments of tension or introspection in narratives.

Origin of 'chatter'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'chatter' comes from the Middle English 'chateren', which means to prattle or talk quickly.
  • It is believed to be imitative, representing the sounds made when people or animals chatter, similar to birds.

The word 'chatter' originated from Middle English 'chateren', which meant to twitter or gossip. Over time, it evolved to encompass both the rapid conversation on social media and the act of talking rapidly or trivially. The term has been in use for centuries, reflecting the human tendency to engage in lively discussions and exchanges of information.

See also: chat, chattiness, chatting, chatty, chitchat.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,678, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.