chatter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chatter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to casual or informal conversation, often characterized by light or trivial topics. Example: "During the meeting, there was a lot of chatter among the team members about their weekend plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For someone who woke up at 1.30am in Germany, her capacity for exuberant chatter is remarkable.

The Guardian - Music

If it's the latter, however, it's either another show of hand from Columbus GM Scott Howson, showing, as he did after not trading Nash, that he's capable of a bit of bitterness, or it's a sign that all that chatter about Jeff Carter being a bit insufferable might have some truth to it.

The Guardian - Sport

Frank Sidebottom, resplendent in a fibreglass head, shuffled onto the 80s pop scene like a postmodern riff on George Formby or Norman Wisdom, full of guileless chatter and novelty tunes.

The Guardian - Film

So in her parting message to her supporters, she fought to get her voice heard over the car horns and chatter of the crowd: "Michelle is going to be a fantastic MP but she's only going to be your MP if you get out there and make it happen".

The Guardian

Rumours about LLINs are not confined to chatter among people in their communities.

The Guardian

There are significant and complicated challenges – for Ofsted, the academisation programme, local authorities, and community politics – which are in danger of being lost sight of in the midst of ministerial vainglory and beltway chatter.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the chatter there is just confusing, get down to Orbital, grab a copy of Neo magazine, and browse the DVD range.

The Guardian

Kamil even took on that most divisive concept in current popular feminist chatter, intersectionality, explaining it with a catchy jingle.

The Guardian

The tumbledown street where he was born in the island's capital, St Johns, has been re-named in his honour, and hoteliers chatter excitedly about how the island's goodwill ambassador sometimes honours them with his presence for a drink by the poolside.

The Guardian - Travel

For work widely devoid of meaning, for electronic entertainment consisting of endless repetitive chatter, for recreation which moves us restlessly round the world, and for the chance to shop in order to escape the pointlessness of shopping".

The Guardian

But in the offline world, "social life" has a range of meanings, from constant chatter to quiet companionship.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chatter" to describe background conversation or casual talk, especially when it's not the primary focus of attention. For example, describe the "chatter" in a cafe to set the scene.

Common error

Avoid using "chatter" in formal contexts like business meetings or academic discussions, as it implies a lack of seriousness. Choose more appropriate terms like "discussion", "dialogue", or "conversation" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "chatter" primarily functions as a noun, referring to continuous, rapid talk that is often trivial or inconsequential. It can also function as a verb, meaning to talk rapidly and incessantly. Ludwig AI analysis shows that "chatter" often describes background noise or casual conversation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "chatter" is a versatile term, most often used as a noun to describe continuous and often trivial talk. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence in news and media contexts, with a neutral register that makes it widely applicable. While generally correct and usable, it's important to differentiate "chatter" from more formal terms like "discussion" or "dialogue", particularly in professional settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, "chatter" aptly captures the essence of background conversations, rumors, and light-hearted exchanges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

idle talk

Emphasizes the lack of seriousness or purpose in the conversation, focusing on its trivial nature.

meaningless talk

Highlights the lack of substance or value in the discussion, suggesting it's pointless.

idle conversation

Similar to 'idle talk' but emphasizes the conversational aspect rather than just the content.

meaningless discussion

Puts more emphasis on the exchange of ideas, while suggesting that the discussion lacks a clear goal or useful outcome.

incessant babble

Conveys a sense of continuous and often incomprehensible or annoying talk.

constant prattle

Suggests childish or foolish talk that is persistent and often irritating.

pointless discourse

Highlights the futility of the conversation, indicating that it's unlikely to lead to any meaningful conclusions.

background noise

Shifts the focus to the auditory aspect, implying that the talk is indistinct and not meant to be closely listened to.

general conversation

A neutral alternative that removes any negative connotations associated with "chatter", simply referring to ordinary talk.

ambient sounds

Broadens the scope to include any surrounding noises, not just speech, contributing to the overall sound environment.

FAQs

How can I use "chatter" in a sentence?

"Chatter" can be used to describe background noise from conversations, as in "The restaurant was filled with the chatter of diners." It can also refer to idle or meaningless talk, such as "There's been a lot of chatter about the company's potential merger."

What words can I use instead of "chatter"?

Depending on the context, you could use "small talk", "conversation", "gossip", or "rumors". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "chatter" in formal writing?

Generally, "chatter" is more suited for informal or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, more precise terms like "discussion", "dialogue", or "communication" are often more appropriate.

What's the difference between "chatter" and "conversation"?

"Chatter" often implies a light, informal, and sometimes trivial exchange, whereas "conversation" suggests a more substantial and meaningful exchange of ideas. "Chatter" can also refer to background noise from multiple conversations.