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.
Shared creative flow fosters faster bonding than small talk. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Lulls and awkwardness in small talk are normal, says Bonfil. Seraphina Seow, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025 Chatter and small talk in a restless legislative chamber of state lawmakers hushed when House Speaker Adrienne Jones, a Baltimore County Democrat, announced that the Maryland Second Look Act was under consideration by the body. Gary Collins, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025 Instead, Lola and her parents make small talk about dating. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Apr. 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 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

small talk

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