chatter Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun noisy talk
yack; cackle; yak; yakety-yak.
noun the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine
chattering.
noun the high-pitched continuing noise made by animals (birds or monkeys)
chattering.
verb click repeatedly or uncontrollably
click.
- Chattering teeth
verb cut unevenly with a chattering tool
verb talk socially without exchanging too much information
shoot the breeze; chit-chat; chew the fat; confab; chitchat; jaw; claver; visit; chaffer; chat; natter; gossip; confabulate.
- the men were sitting in the cafe and shooting the breeze
verb speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
prate; tattle; piffle; gabble; blab; gibber; clack; tittle-tattle; prattle; maunder; palaver; blabber; twaddle.
verb make noise as if chattering away
- The magpies were chattering in the trees

Of imitative origin. Cf. Chat, v. i. Chitter.

imperfect & past participle Chattered ; present participle & verbal noun Chattering

To utter sounds which somewhat resemble language, but are inarticulate and indistinct.
The jaw makes answer, as the magpie chatters. Wordsworth.
To talk idly, carelessly, or with undue rapidity; to jabber; to prate.
To tame a shrew, and charm her chattering tongue. Shak.
To make a noise by rapid collisions.
With chattering teeth, and bristling hair upright. Dryden.

To utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly.
Begin his witless note apace to chatter. Spenser.

Sounds like those of a magpie or monkey; idle talk; rapid, thoughtless talk; jabber; prattle.
Your words are but idle and empty chatter. Longfellow.
Noise made by collision of the teeth, as in shivering.