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

Emma Stone and Ariana Grande, seated just a table away from each other, shared a private moment catching up, while Clooney, Paltrow and Ethan Hawke chatted a few tables over. —Andrea Mandell, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026

Shilpa and Jesse talk about this festive winter bake, plus chat with award-winning author Nicola Lamb. —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Jan. 2026

Noun

Read the most recent live chat here. —Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 16 Jan. 2026

Maya Rudolph and Ariana Grande had a quick chat during a break. —Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 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