I. verb
1.
to emit a ready flow of inconsequential talk
chats on the phone for hours
Synonyms: babble, burble, cackle, chatter, chin-chin, clack, clatter, ||dish, dither, gab, gabble, ||gas, jaw, ||natter, patter, prate, prattle, rattle, run on, smatter, talk, tinkle, twaddle, twiddle, twitter, yak, yakety-yak, yammer, yatter; compare converse
Related Word: yap; blab, gossip; gush, lallygag; confabulate
Idioms: beat one's gums, ||chew the fat ( or rag), ||shoot ( or bat) the breeze, ||shoot ( or sling) the bull
Contrasted words: discourse, expound; declaim, harangue, hold forth, orate, preach
2.
Synonyms: converse , chin, colloque, talk, visit, yarn
II. noun
1.
Synonyms: chatter , babble, bibble-babble, clack, gab, jabber, palaver, prattle, tittle-tattle, yak-yak
2.
an informal conversation
had a satisfactory little chat with the new assistant
Synonyms: causerie, chin, prose, rap, talk, yarn; compare conversation 2
Related Word: gossip, tête-à-tête
Idioms: bull session, rap session
Contrasted words: debate, deliberation, discussion
3.
Synonyms: conversation 1, colloquy, confabulation, converse, dialogue, parley