chattered; chattering; chatters
1
: to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but inarticulate and indistinct
squirrels chattered angrily
2
: to talk idly, incessantly, or fast
3
a
: to click repeatedly or uncontrollably
teeth chattering with cold
b
: to vibrate rapidly in cutting
a chattering tool
c
: to vibrate especially audibly as a consequence of repeated sticking and slipping
chattering brakes
: to utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly
chatterer
noun
1
: the action or sound of chattering
2
: idle talk : prattle
3
: electronic and especially radio communication between individuals engaged in a common or related form of activity
also
: such chatter regarding future hostile activities
4
: a person who participates in online chat
Excite, Inc. … reports that users log a total of 7.5 to 8 million chat minutes on an average day. Half of online chatters are aged 18 to 34, and 15 percent are under age 17.—
Rebecca Piirto Heath
Rebecca Piirto HeathSynonyms
Examples of chatter in a Sentence
Verb
Children chattered in the middle of the playground.
My teeth were chattering from the cold.
Birds chattered in the trees.
Noun
heard the chatter of squirrels
pleasant chatter over morning coffee
Recent Examples on the WebAnthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024
Astronomers have now listened in on the nearby TRAPPIST-1 system to check whether aliens are chattering between their own neighboring planets.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2024
Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The signal is not only weakened but also obscured by the chatter of millions of other neurons, reacting to whatever else the pilot happens to be thinking about or sensing.
—Dana MacKenzie, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chatter 
Verb
There had been chatter out there that Holland was circling a new Spider-Man movie.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024
Astronomers have now listened in on the nearby TRAPPIST-1 system to check whether aliens are chattering between their own neighboring planets.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
There is chatter of a break down in the workings of the coalition – the question now is how that might translate into a political event.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The signal is not only weakened but also obscured by the chatter of millions of other neurons, reacting to whatever else the pilot happens to be thinking about or sensing.
—Dana MacKenzie, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chatter
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chatter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to chatter
Dictionary Entries Near chatter
Cite this Entry
“Chatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chatter. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share