Prattling: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to someone talking for a long time about unimportant things, often in a way that can be annoying.

• Children often start prattling about their day at school as soon as they get home.
• He kept prattling on about his new hobby, and I couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Used for friendly, light, and informal conversation that might be continuous or quick.

• The students' chatter could be heard all the way down the hall.
• They spent the afternoon chattering about their summer plans.

Often used to describe rapid, unintelligible or foolish talk, especially when someone is nervous or excited.

• She started to babble when she saw her favorite celebrity.
• The baby could only babble, but the sounds were endearing.

Refers to speaking or writing at length without a clear point or direction. It can be perceived negatively if it becomes boring or confusing.

• His letters always seemed to ramble without getting to the point.
• She tends to ramble when she's anxious, often losing track of her thoughts.

Refers to speaking in a childish or foolish manner, often about trivial or unimportant subjects, usually with a slightly annoying tone.

• The child was prattling on about his new toy for hours.
• She kept prattling about her weekend plans without realizing no one was listening.

Implies speaking quickly and at length, usually in a friendly or informal manner, often in a group setting.

• The students were chattering in the hallway before class.
• They spent the evening chattering about their favorite movies.

Describes speaking rapidly and continuously in an excited or incoherent way, often without much sense or understanding.

• The baby was babbling happily in his crib.
• After a few drinks, he started babbling about his childhood.

Describes speaking or writing in a confused or seemingly random way, often going off on tangents without a clear direction; can have a negative connotation.

• His letter was a long, rambling account of his travels.
• She tends to ramble when she's nervous, making it hard to follow her point.