prattle

¹prat·tle

verb \ˈpra-t^əl\

prat·tledprat·tling \ˈprat-liŋ, ˈpra-t^əl-iŋ\

Definition of PRATTLE

intransitive verb

1

: prate

2

: to utter or make meaningless sounds suggestive of the chatter of children : babble

transitive verb

: to say in an unaffected or childish manner

— prat·tler \ˈprat-lər, ˈpra-t^əl-ər\ noun

— prat·tling·ly \-liŋ-lē, -t^əl-iŋ-\ adverb

Examples of PRATTLE

1. They prattled on into the night, discussing school, music, and friends.
2. <spent an hour on the phone prattling on about nothing in particular>

Origin of PRATTLE

Low German pratelen; akin to Middle Dutch praten to prate

First Known Use: 1532

Related to PRATTLE

Synonyms

babble, blab, cackle, chaffer [British], chatter, chin [slang], converse, gab, gabble, gas, jabber, jaw, kibitz (also kibbitz), natter, palaver, patter, prate, chat, 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

Rhymes with PRATTLE

battle, brattle, cattle, chattel, rattle, tattle

²prattle

noun

Definition of PRATTLE

1

: trifling or empty talk

2

: a sound that is meaningless, repetitive, and suggestive of the chatter of children

Examples of PRATTLE

1. <parents often claim to understand the prattle of their infant offspring>

First Known Use of PRATTLE

1555

Related to PRATTLE

Synonyms

abracadabra, babble, blabber, burble, double Dutch, double-talk, drivel, gabble, gibber, jabber, jabberwocky, mumbo jumbo, nonsense, gibberish, slobber

Related Words

blah (also blah-blah), hocus-pocus, hokeypokey, twaddle; chatter, gab, patter, prate, tattle, twitter; cackle, clack, clatter

Rhymes with PRATTLE

battle, brattle, rattle, tattle