/ tʃæt; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb ( -tt- ) [ v ]
1.
chat (away) (to / with sb) | chat (about sth/sb) to talk in a friendly informal way to sb :
My kids spend hours chatting on the phone to their friends.
Within minutes of being introduced they were chatting away like old friends.
What were you chatting about?
2.
to exchange messages with other people on the Internet, especially in a chat room :
He's been on the computer all morning, chatting with his friends.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- chat sb up
■ noun
1.
[ C ] ( especially BrE ) a friendly informal conversation :
I just called in for a chat.
I had a long chat with her.
➡ note at discussion
2.
[ U ] talking, especially informal conversation :
That's enough chat from me—on with the music!
➡ note at discussion
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : shortening of chatter .