chitchat

noun

chit·​chat ˈchit-ˌchat How to pronounce chitchat (audio)
chitchat intransitive verb

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 But Hunter Biden’s former business partner testified that the future president engaged only in idle chitchat, not business, during those calls. Peter Baker, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023 In the abrupt switch to hybrid work, some of the opportunities for low-stakes chitchat have evaporated. Reece Rogers, WIRED, 17 Aug. 2023 The office was never designed for chitchat and hanging out. Kara Panzer, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2023 Instead of viewing it as a distraction, Tannen sees chitchat as a way to build worthwhile relationships between team members at work. Reece Rogers, WIRED, 17 Aug. 2023 But most people enjoyed the dark, relaxing into a happy stargazing bliss while listening to friendly chitchat around them. Alisa Tang, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2023 But one reason why the end of remote work might be so aggravating, at least right now, is the return of all the small annoyances of office work: overheard conversations and phone calls, chitchat from fellow workers, and less convenient facilities. Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2023 In the car, the three chitchat about what’s growing, the job scene in the fields and, of course, the weather. Patricia Leigh Brown, New York Times, 16 June 2023 Staffers said Nauta did not engage in political chitchat or White House gossip and, in a world where aides were constantly edging into Oval Office meetings uninvited, seemed content to remain on the other side of the closed door. Rosalind S. Helderman, Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Josh Dawsey, Shane Harris, Ashley Parker, Devlin Barrett, The Washington Post, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chitchat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

reduplication of chat

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chitchat was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near chitchat

Cite this Entry

“Chitchat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chitchat. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

chitchat

noun
chit·​chat ˈchit-ˌchat How to pronounce chitchat (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on chitchat

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