chatter

1 of 2

verb

chat·​ter ˈcha-tər How to pronounce chatter (audio)
chattered; chattering; chatters
Synonyms of chatternext

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 adjective

chatterer

2 of 2

noun

chat·​ter·​er
ˈcha-tər-ər
plural -s
1
: one that chatters
2
: any of various passerine birds, especially the waxwings and members of the Cotingidae

Examples of chatter in a Sentence

Verb 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
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Verb
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 See All Example Sentences for chatter

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English chatteren, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chatter was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chatter. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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

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