Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

chit-chat

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.00 in modern English

Syllables: chit-chat
IPA

18

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Light conversation; casual talk, usually about trivial matters.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Countable; Uncountable

verb

To engage in small talk, to discuss unimportant matters.

Colloquial; Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"He speaks rapidly, with clarity and with obvious enthusiasm. No time is wasted on idle chit-chat."
"“What are you doing down here, father?” “Just having a bit of chitchat with your curious creation.” “Right.”"

Etymology

Reduplication of chat. Compare tittle-tattle, flim-flam, pitter-patter, etc.

Usage

Inflected Forms

chit-chats (plural) chitchat (alternative) chit chat (alternative) chit-chats (present, singular) chit-chatting (participle, present) chit-chatted (participle, past) chit-chatted (past)

Phrases

chitter-chatter

Frequently Paired Words

chitter-chatter

Synonyms

chinwag claver small talk chitchat chit chat gab gabfest gossip tittle-tattle chin wag chin-wag chin wagging

Questions

What does chit-chat mean?: Light conversation; casual talk, usually about trivial matters.
Where does chit-chat come from?: Reduplication of chat. Compare tittle-tattle, flim-flam, pitter-patter, etc.

How to pronounce chit-chat

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