chitchat

noun

chit·​chat ˈchit-ˌchat 

: small talk, gossip

chitchat intransitive verb

Synonyms of chitchat

• chat
• chatter
• talk

Examples of chitchat in a Sentence

We exchanged some chitchat about the weather.

a bit of chitchat over lunch with people we hadn't seen in a while

Recent Examples on the Web

After some chitchat, I was shown two Datejusts and one Submariner Date. — Zach Weiss, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2026

Both in ordinary chitchat and in big confrontations, the dialogue plays like a musical score of language built from a trove of memories. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026

The top tier of subscription is known as Enterprise, costing $199 for 100 hours of chitchat and gives you more freedom to build your own AI characters and other add-ons. — New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026

In fact, Badinage means witty chitchat or banter and was selected as the company name for the same reason. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

reduplication of chat

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chitchat

• begat
• bobcat
• doormat
• ducat
• eclat
• format
• hazmat
• muskrat
• nonfat
• polecat
• thereat
• tomcat

Video

A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

Associate Editor Serenity Carr looks at onomatopoeic words you might not expect, such as bounce and tinker.

Transcript:

When you think of the origins of a word, you think of Old English, or Old French, or Latin, or Sanskrit. But not all words come from a similar word in an older language. Some words come from imitations of the sounds associated with the thing they name. Some are obvious, like fizz, jingle, toot, and pop. Others are less obvious, like slap, bounce, tinker, and cough. So listen carefully to every grunt and murmur, to the prattle and babbling around you. You may be hearing more than just chit-chat.

Kids Definition

chitchat

noun

chit·​chat ˈchit-ˌchat 

: small talk, gossip