chat

¹ American  

[chat] / tʃæt /

verb (used without object)

chatted, chatting

1. to converse in a familiar or informal manner.

   Synonyms:

   visit, gossip, chitchat, talk

2. Digital Technology. to participate with one or more people, through the internet, in a real-time conversation, typically as a series of short text exchanges in a specific application, as instant messaging, or by using images, voice, video, or some combination of these.

   The kids were able to chat with their grandma online.

   Join our online community to chat about TV shows.

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noun

1. an informal conversation.

   We had a pleasant chat.

   Synonyms:

   visit, gossip, chitchat, talk

2. Digital Technology. a real-time conversation between two or more people over the internet or another computer network.

   Join our free video chat. Have a live chat with one of our customer service representatives.

3. any of several small Old World thrushes, especially of the genus Saxicola, having a chattering cry.

4. yellow-breasted chat.

adjective

1. Digital Technology. noting or relating to an online chat.

   a chat session.

verb phrase

1. chat up

   1. to talk flirtatiously with.

   2. to talk to in a friendly, open way.

Chât. ² American  

abbreviation

1. (especially in Bordeaux wines) Château.

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chat ¹ British  

/ tʃæt /

noun

1. informal conversation or talk conducted in an easy familiar manner

2. the exchange of messages in an internet or other network chatroom

3. any Old World songbird of the subfamily Turdinae (thrushes, etc) having a harsh chattering cry See also stonechat whinchat

4. any of various North American warblers, such as Icteria virens ( yellow-breasted chat )

5. any of various Australian wrens (family Muscicapidae ) of the genus Ephthianura and other genera

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verb

1. to talk in an easy familiar way

2. to exchange messages in a chatroom

chat ² British  

/ tʃæt /

noun

1. archaic a catkin, esp a willow catkin

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Other Word Forms

• chattable adjective

Etymology

Origin of chat

First recorded in 1400–50; (verb) late Middle English chatt(e); short for chatter

Explanation

When you chat, you have a brief, casual conversation. You might chat with your mail carrier when she delivers a package to your door. If you're in a talkative mood, you can chat with your roommate, the bus driver, your boss, and a drugstore cashier all before lunchtime. The conversation that happens when you chat is also called a chat: "Let's sit down and have a chat sometime this week." The earliest meaning of chat was "frivolous talk," which now is more likely to be called chatter or chitchat.

Example Sentences

We may not be able to teleport, either physically or via hologram, but we can Zoom or video chat with pretty much anyone anywhere.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Conversation flows easily as we chat and pizza is duly ordered.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Men have entered the fertility-planning chat as the demand for supplements and other wellness products surge.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Before the rally, many gathered lined up to have a quick chat with Tisza candidates to get their autographs and bought Hungarian flags, or Tisza-branded souvenirs and clothing from pop-up vendors as music blared.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“I never get a chance to just chat with you guys!”

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins

Related Words

• chatter
• conversation
• gossip