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

Most Americans spend the fall of even-numbered years doing their best to dodge the incessant prate of political ads that seems to stalk them everywhere.

From Slate

"The disheartening indifference and stupidity of the public, led by stupid municipal and other governing bodies, who prate about practical work, but are incapable of appreciating the depth of the meaning of the English adage 'time is money'."

From BBC

“At the moment we cannot do without L.N.G.,” said Augustin Prate, vice president for energy and commodities at Kayrros, a Paris-based research firm.

From New York Times

"It's built up for about, I would say, five to six weeks," says Augustin Prate, vice president of energy and commodity markets at Kayrros, one of many observers who has watched the situation unfold.

From BBC

Anthony Prate, 55, was charged with first-degree murder in the Nov. 23 death of his girlfriend Malgorzata Daniel, a 48-year-old nurse who authorities said was stabbed 30 times in her home.

From Fox News