chat

1 of 2

verb

ˈchat 

chatted; chatting

intransitive verb

1

: chatter, prattle

2

a

: to talk in an informal or familiar manner

b

: to take part in an online discussion in a chat room

transitive verb

chiefly British : to talk to

especially : to talk lightly, glibly, or flirtatiously with

—often used with up

chat

2 of 2

noun

1

: idle small talk : chatter

2

: light informal or familiar talk

especially : conversation

3

[imitative] : any of several songbirds (as of the genera Emarginata or Myrmecocichla)

4

: online discussion in a chat room

also : an instance of such discussion

participate in computer chats

Synonyms of chat

Verb

• talk
• converse
• chatter

Noun

• talk
• chatter
• gossip
• chitchat

Examples of chat in a Sentence

Verb

We chatted about our plans for the summer.

called him up to chat

She stayed up all night chatting with her friends online.

Noun

We enjoyed a chat over coffee.

software used for e-mail and chat

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Wearing matching leather coats, the two chatted constantly, pointing at parade formations and singing along with performers. —Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026

Before Monday’s game, Eldridge took a couple of minutes to chat with soon-to-be Hall of Famer Jeff Kent, who hit more home runs than any second baseman in MLB history. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026

Noun

By the next morning, the community group chat began to light up before the sun even rose as neighbors began orchestrating a protest. —Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026

The annual event in Indianapolis also allows general managers to speak with one another in person, engage in informal chats with agents and meet with the media to discuss their visions. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English chatten, short for chatteren

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing chat

• chat line
• chat room
• chat show
• chat up
• chat-up line
• pas de chat

Rhymes for chat

• at
• bat
• batt
• brat
• cat
• fat
• flat
• gat
• gnat
• hat
• kat
• mat

Kids Definition

chat

1 of 2 verb

ˈchat 

chatted; chatting

1

: to talk in a friendly manner about things that are not serious

2

: to take part in an online discussion in a chat room

chat

2 of 2 noun

1

: a light friendly conversation

2

: a talk held over the Internet by people using a chat room

3

: any of several songbirds with a chattering call