Prattle: meaning, definitions and examples

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prattle

[ˈprætl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

conversation

To talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way; to chatter incessantly.

Synonyms

babble, chatter, gab, ramble.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prattle	Used to describe talk that is trivial or childish, often without much sense or purpose. The old man prattled on about his childhood for hours The babies prattled contentedly in their cribs
chatter	Implies a casual, fast-paced talk, often among friends or in lively settings. Can also refer to the sound of animals or objects making repetitive noises. The kids chattered happily in the schoolyard Monkeys chattered in the jungle canopy
babble	Typically implies talking rapidly and continuously in a foolish, excited, or incomprehensible way. Can also refer to the sound of running water. She babbled nervously during the job interview The brook babbled gently over the rocks
ramble	Implies talking or writing in a lengthy, confused, and often pointless way. Carries a slightly negative connotation of lack of focus. He rambled on about his vacation for an hour without getting to the point Her writing tends to ramble and lacks coherence
gab	Usually refers to talking at length, rarely with negative feelings. Often used for friendly, informal conversations. They gabbled for hours over coffee She's known for gabbing on the phone with her friends

Examples of usage

She prattled on about her weekend plans.
The children prattled happily as they played in the yard.
Don't prattle on about things you know nothing about.
I wish she would stop prattling and get to the point.
He prattled nervously during the job interview.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

conversation

Foolish or inconsequential talk; chatter.

Synonyms

babble, chatter, gossip, jabber.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prattle	Used to describe someone talking in a foolish or inconsequential way, often at length. It generally has a negative connotation. The children prattled on about their favorite cartoons He tends to prattle when he's nervous
chatter	Used for informal, light, and quick conversation, often regarding trivial matters. It can also describe the noise made by animals like monkeys or birds. The friends chattered away during their coffee break The birds chattered in the trees
babble	Used when someone is talking rapidly and continuously in a way that's hard to understand or meaningless. It's often used to describe the speech of babies or people who are very excited or confused. The baby babbled happily in her crib After the accident, he just babbled incoherently
gossip	Used for informal talks about other people's private lives, often including unconfirmed or malicious details. It typically has a negative connotation. The office is full of gossip about the new manager She enjoys gossiping about celebrities
jabber	Used to describe talking rapidly, often in a confused or incoherent manner. It suggests a sense of urgency or excitement. The excited fans jabbered about the game After the surprise party, everyone jabbered at once

Examples of usage

Her prattle was entertaining but lacked substance.
I couldn't focus on work with all the prattle going on around me.
The meeting was filled with mindless prattle.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the early 15th century, derived from Middle English 'pratlen,' meaning to chatter like a child.
Related to the Dutch word 'pratten,' which also refers to making light, silly talk.
It was originally used to describe the babbling of babies or children, indicating an innocent or trivial nature.

Pop Culture

In literature, characters that prattle often add a humorous or whimsical tone, revealing their personality and social dynamics.
Animated shows often feature characters who prattle to exaggerate their quirks, keeping the audience entertained.
The term appears in many songs and poems, often to express lightheartedness or banter among characters.

Psychology

Research suggests that individuals who engage in lighthearted chatter can enhance social bonds and create a positive atmosphere.
Prattling can sometimes serve as a coping mechanism, allowing people to distract themselves from stress or anxiety.
Conversational skills, including the ability to prattle without substance, often develop in early childhood as part of social learning.

Literature

Classic works often feature characters who prattle as a representation of social customs and communication patterns of the time.
Notable authors like Jane Austen used prattling characters to contrast deeper themes within their narratives.
Prattling serves as a device in storytelling, providing comic relief amidst more serious subjects.

Communication

In modern conversations, prattling can serve an important role, helping to fill silence and maintain engagement in social settings.
While often seen as trivial, some communication experts argue that it can build rapport and ease tension during discussions.
The balance between meaningful conversation and prattling is an essential part of interpersonal dynamics and relationship building.

Translations

Translations of the word "prattle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tagarelar

🇮🇳 बकवास करना

🇩🇪 plappern

🇮🇩 bercakap-cakap

🇺🇦 балакати

🇵🇱 paplać

🇯🇵 無駄話をする (むだばなしをする)

🇫🇷 bavarder

🇪🇸 parlotear

🇹🇷 gevezelik etmek

🇰🇷 수다떨다

🇸🇦 ثرثرة

🇨🇿 žvanit

🇸🇰 tárať

🇨🇳 闲聊 (xián liáo)

🇸🇮 klepetati

🇮🇸 raða

🇰🇿 сөйлесу

🇬🇪 ჭორაობა

🇦🇿 dedi-qodu etmək

🇲🇽 parlotear

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,406, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
28403 superhero
28404 jukebox
28405 freestone
28406 prattle
28407 cowered
28408 ostracized
28409 gauche
...