chatter
35 synonyms and 1 antonym for chatter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Talk that goes on and on without saying much of substance.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Talk that goes on and on without saying much of substance.
“The office was full of nervous chatter before the announcement.”
babble
bavardage
bibble-babble
blab
blabber
blabbing
blather
blathering
chinwag
chit-chat
claver
clepe
gabble
hot air
mardle
natter
palaver
prate
prattle
small talk
scuttlebutt
tattle
twaddle
yackety-yak
waffle
yap
yatter
Opposites
How to use chatter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
idle chatter
teeth chatter
nervous chatter
Etymology
From Middle English chateren, an imitative word mimicking the sound of rapid, repetitive noise — the same root behind similar words in Dutch and German for chattering.
Full origin of chatter →Frequently asked questions
What does “chatter” mean?
The word “chatter” means talk that goes on and on without saying much of substance. In plain terms, fast, light talk (or a fast, rattling sound) — think teeth chattering in the cold or people chattering over coffee.
How do you pronounce “chatter”?
“Chatter” is pronounced CHA-tuh (/ˈt͡ʃætɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “chatter” in a sentence?
Here is “chatter” used in a sentence: “The office was full of nervous chatter before the announcement.”
What is another word for “chatter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “chatter” include babble, bavardage, bibble-babble, blab, blabber and blabbing.
What part of speech is “chatter”?
Depending on how it is used, “chatter” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chatter” come from?
The word “chatter” comes from Middle English. From Middle English chateren, an imitative word mimicking the sound of rapid, repetitive noise — the same root behind similar words in Dutch and German for chattering.
Is “chatter” a common word?
“Chatter” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “chatter” have?
“Chatter” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: talk that goes on and on without saying much of substance.
