chat
Chat (verb) means to talk with someone in a relaxed, informal way. Example: “We stayed after class to chat about the weekend.”
How to use chat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInformal talk, whether spoken face-to-face or typed online.
Word forms
chatted past tense, chats plural, chats plural, chats plural, chats plural, chats singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We stayed after class to _____ about the weekend.
Etymology
A shortening of "chatter," originally describing idle talk.
Related words
Rhymes for chat
See all rhymes for chat →Frequently asked questions
What does “chat” mean?
The word “chat” means to talk with someone in a relaxed, informal way. In plain terms, informal talk, whether spoken face-to-face or typed online.
How do you pronounce “chat”?
“Chat” is pronounced CHAT (/ˈt͡ʃæt/ in IPA).
How do you use “chat” in a sentence?
Here is “chat” used in a sentence: “We stayed after class to chat about the weekend.”
What is another word for “chat”?
Words with a similar meaning to “chat” include visit.
What part of speech is “chat”?
Depending on how it is used, “chat” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “chat” a common word?
“Chat” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “chat” have?
“Chat” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to talk with someone in a relaxed, informal way.
What is the difference between chatting and talking?
Talking is any spoken exchange, including serious or formal ones. Chatting is a lighter, friendly kind of talking about everyday things, with no fixed purpose or pressure. All chatting is talking, but a tense negotiation or a lecture would be talking rather than chatting.
Is "chat" formal or informal?
Chat is an informal, friendly word. It suits casual conversation with friends, family, or colleagues rather than serious or official exchanges. In business you might "discuss" or "meet," but over coffee you simply chat. Online, "chat" also describes quick, relaxed text messaging between people.
What is an example of chatting?
Catching up with a neighbour over the fence, talking about the weekend with a coworker, or messaging a friend about nothing in particular are all chatting. The defining trait is that the talk is relaxed and sociable rather than purposeful or formal.
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