small talk

noun

: light or casual conversation : chitchat

Examples of small talk in a Sentence

They made small talk while waiting for the meeting to start. at the corporate get-together we made the obligatory small talk with some people from the home office
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The tech company wants to turn your small talk into big sales. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025 Conversations with him are free of small talk. Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025 In the real world, this would be a cue for some halting, awkward small talk, perhaps, or a passive-aggressive nod of acknowledgement, or just a simple cold shoulder. Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025 There is no room for small talk and half-hearted pursuits — Mars in Scorpio completely immerses itself in a situation or is simply not interested. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for small talk

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of small talk was in 1650

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Small talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small%20talk. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

small talk

noun
: light or informal conversation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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