verb
chat
CHAT
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."
2
To exchange written or spoken messages in real time online.
"The team chats on a group app throughout the workday."
noun
1
A casual, friendly conversation.
"I had a quick chat with my neighbour about the storm damage."
2
An online space or feature for exchanging real-time messages.
"Viewers were flooding the live-stream chat with questions."
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
Word Forms
chatted past tense, chats plural, chats plural, chats plural, chats plural, chats singular
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Etymology
A shortening of "chatter," originally describing idle talk.