prate

[ preyt ]

verb (used without object)

, prat·ed, prat·ing.

1. to talk excessively and pointlessly; babble:

   They prated on until I was ready to scream.

verb (used with object)

, prat·ed, prat·ing.

1. to utter in empty or foolish talk:

   to prate absurdities with the greatest seriousness.

noun

1. act of prating.
2. empty or foolish talk.

prate

/ preɪt /

verb

1. intr to talk idly and at length; chatter
2. tr to utter in an idle or empty way

noun

1. idle or trivial talk; prattle; chatter

Derived Forms

• ˈpratingly, adverb
• ˈprater, noun

Other Words From

• prater noun
• prating·ly adverb
• un·prating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prate¹

1375–1425; late Middle English praten (v.) < Middle Dutch praeten. See prattle

Word History and Origins

Origin of prate¹

C15: of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch prāten, Icelandic and Norwegian prata, Danish prate

Example Sentences

Golden Age-of-TV evangelists prate on about which glorified soap operas are most deserving of our rapt attention.

From The Daily Beast

But I am transgressing the rule I laid down for myself in the outset of these stories—not to prate much about my own pets.

From Project Gutenberg

After that let him who will prate of the feeling of identity and the consciousness of self.

From Project Gutenberg

Neither shalt thou prate even to thy own heart of 'those secrets known to all.'

From Project Gutenberg

Uds life, Ill stick my knife in your guts an you prate to me so!

From Project Gutenberg

My fanaticism is, that I insist on the American people abolishing Slavery, or ceasing to prate of the rights of man.

From Project Gutenberg