chat
CHAT
Chat (verb) means to talk with someone in a relaxed, informal way. Example: “We stayed after class to chat about the weekend.”
verb
1
To talk with someone in a relaxed, informal way.
"We stayed after class to chat about the weekend."
"They chatted over coffee for almost two hours."
"Come and sit with us, and we can chat while the kettle boils."
2
To exchange written or spoken messages in real time online.
"The team chats on a group app throughout the workday."
"I was chatting with my cousin online while the film loaded."
"Do you want to chat in the app tonight about our plans?"
noun
1
A casual, friendly conversation.
"I had a quick chat with my neighbour about the storm damage."
"We had a lovely chat on the bus about nothing in particular."
"Pop round for a cup of tea and a chat sometime."
2
An online space or feature for exchanging real-time messages.
"Viewers were flooding the live-stream chat with questions."
"Please keep the chat polite so everyone can enjoy the game."
"I left the chat open on my laptop and missed the call."
How to use chat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInformal talk, whether spoken face-to-face or typed online.
Common pairings
have a chat
live chat
chat room
small talk and chat
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Word forms
- Plural
- chats
- Third person singular
- chats
- Past tense
- chatted
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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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