Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » chatter

chatter

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

Chatter means when animals make short speech like sounds, or talking on and on about silly or trivial things.

(verb)

When two squirrels sit on the lawn and seem to talk to each other, this is an example of their chatter.
When you chit chat and go on and on about silly things, this is an example of a time when you chatter.

The definition of chatter is ongoing silly or meaningless talk, or communication between potential terrorists which is monitored by a government agency, or the sounds made by birds and animals.

(noun)

The sound of a bunch of silly conversations going on at a cocktail party is an example of chatter.
A series of emails detailing the plans of a terrorist organization is an example of chatter.
The ongoing sounds made by some birds are examples of chatter.

See chatter in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

to make short, indistinct sounds in rapid succession: birds and squirrels chatter
to talk fast, incessantly, and foolishly
to click together rapidly, as the teeth do when the lower jaw trembles from fright or cold
to rattle or vibrate: an improperly adjusted tool chatters

Origin: ME chateren: orig. echoic

transitive verb

to utter with a chattering sound

noun

the act or sound of chattering
rapid, foolish talk

Related Forms:

chatterer noun

See chatter in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb chat·tered, chat·ter·ing, chat·ters

verb, intransitive

To talk rapidly, incessantly, and on trivial subjects; jabber.
To utter a rapid series of short, inarticulate, speechlike sounds: birds chattering in the trees.
To click quickly and repeatedly: Our teeth chattered from the cold.
To vibrate or rattle while in operation: A power drill will chatter if the bit is loose.

verb, transitive

To utter in a rapid, usually thoughtless way: chattered a long reply.

noun

Idle, trivial talk.
Communication, such as e-mail and cell phone calls, between people who are involved in terrorism or espionage, as monitored by a government agency.
The sharp, rapid sounds made by some birds and animals.
A series of quick rattling or clicking sounds.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English chateren

Origin: , of imitative origin

Related Forms: