as in chat
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this
a bit of chitchat over lunch with people we hadn't seen in a while
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of chitchat
Meanwhile, Green made do with a slightly depressing cafeteria lunch—a cheese-and-pickle sandwich and a shiny red apple—and some chitchat about the weather.
—
Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
There was a time in the not-so-distant past when people knew their neighbors’ names, made polite chitchat with strangers, and believed in fostering community — so say your older relatives unprompted at every conceivable opportunity.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
Hawkins makes this seem like a monumental spew of words rather than benign chitchat.
—Matthew Schnipper, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
These were among the points of pre-roundtable chitchat on a recent afternoon in West Hollywood when The Times gathered five musicians nominated for prizes at February’s 67th Grammy Awards.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for chitchat
Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
There was a time in the not-so-distant past when people knew their neighbors’ names, made polite chitchat with strangers, and believed in fostering community — so say your older relatives unprompted at every conceivable opportunity.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
Hawkins makes this seem like a monumental spew of words rather than benign chitchat.
—Matthew Schnipper, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
These were among the points of pre-roundtable chitchat on a recent afternoon in West Hollywood when The Times gathered five musicians nominated for prizes at February’s 67th Grammy Awards.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for chitchat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chitchat
Noun
-
After a firepit chat with Madix, the four couples headed back to the platform for the results.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
People.com,
14 July 2025
-
Avoid sharing confidential or sensitive information in Gemini chats, as Google explicitly advises against it.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
There was the usual chatter about 'whether to rest the starters or not', but they good guys weren't going to lay down and hand those cocky Patriots a 16-0 record.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
If the enthusiasm for the F1 flick may have helped rev up ESPN2’s British Grand Prix deliveries—the July 6 race, won by McLaren’s Lando Norris, averaged 1.5 million viewers, up 19% versus the year-ago telecast—Cue’s offer may well supersede any chatter about linear TV ratings.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Republic claimed the union wasn't negotiating in good faith, while the Teamsters accused the company of abandoning talks and refusing to continue over the weekend.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
-
While the talks between Bayern director of sport Max Eberl and the VfB bosses have been considered positive, some of the outside noise has been considered an obstacle to getting a deal done.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Cite this Entry
“Chitchat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chitchat. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share