chit·chat

[chit-chat] noun, verb, chit·chat·ted, chit·chat·ting.
noun
1.
light conversation; casual talk; gossip.
verb (used without object)
2.
to indulge in chitchat; gossip.
Origin:
1700–10; gradational compound based on chat

Related forms
chit·chat·ty, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To chitchat
Collins
World English Dictionary
chitchat (ˈtʃɪtˌtʃæt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
1.  talk of a gossipy nature
 
—vb , -chats, -chatting, -chatted
2.  (intr) to gossip

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Chitchat is one of our favorite verbs.
So is peculate. Does it mean:
to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.
to flee; abscond:
LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

chitchat
1710, diminishing reduplicated from chat.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary

chitchat definition

[ˈtʃɪt tʃæt]
  1. n.
    talk; idle talk. : That's enough chitchat. Please get to work.
  2. n.
    a short, friendly conversation. : I'd like to have a little chitchat with you when you have time.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
If someone is waiting, nothing is more frustrating than watching workers engage
  in idle chitchat or banter.
The two white-maned television comedy icons hugged and engaged in some friendly
  chitchat as everyone in the hallway gawked.
He is easily bored by chitchat but lights up when the conversation turns to
  politics or the environment.
In other cases, parents may be too tired or stressed to engage in lighthearted
  chitchat with their babies.
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriHome Advisor
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
About PRIVACY POLICY Terms API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Suggest a Word Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT