chatter

verb

chat·​ter ˈcha-tər 

chattered; chattering; chatters

intransitive verb

1

: to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but inarticulate and indistinct

squirrels chattered angrily

2

: to talk idly, incessantly, or fast

3

a

: to click repeatedly or uncontrollably

teeth chattering with cold

b

: to vibrate rapidly in cutting

a chattering tool

c

: to vibrate especially audibly as a consequence of repeated sticking and slipping

chattering brakes

transitive verb

: to utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly

chatterer noun

chattery

ˈcha-tə-rē 

adjective

Synonyms of chatter

• chat
• talk
• converse

Examples of chatter in a Sentence

Children chattered in the middle of the playground.

My teeth were chattering from the cold.

Birds chattered in the trees.

Recent Examples on the Web

As Paula finally reaches Detective Gonzalez and excitedly chatters about her wire transfer ruse, the wry officer isn’t amused. —Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026

Wednesday evening, dozens crowded into the community room of a local church, chattering in Spanish and English in the fading light of day as part of a forum on the upcoming ICE facility. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

While some kids seem to chatter nonstop before age 2, others may take a little longer to find their words. —Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 25 May 2026

But a chattering bird builds no nest! —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chatteren, of imitative origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing chatter

• chatter mark

Rhymes for chatter

• atter
• batter
• blatter
• catarrh
• clatter
• fatter
• flatter
• hatter
• latter
• matter
• natter
• patter

Kids Definition

chatter

verb

chat·​ter

ˈchat-ər

1

: to utter rapid meaningless sounds suggesting speech

squirrels chattered angrily

2

: to talk idly, continually, or rapidly

3

: to click again and again without control

teeth chattering

chatter noun

chatterer

ˈchat-ər-ər

noun

chattery

-ə-rē

adjective