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

Claims of widespread electoral fraud would be spurious even if they weren’t made by a prating fool in front of a Philadelphia landscaping firm.

From Washington Post

In the decades since the Cold War ended, the stakes of U.S. politics have sometimes seemed lower — low enough for voters to select a raging, prating con man.

From Washington Post

“We have had women enough sacrificed to this sentimental, hypocritical prating about purity,” she wrote to her friend Lucretia Mott.

From Literature

Trump is not only a preening, prating fool; he has set his own interests above the interests of the nation.

From Washington Post

"A panoply of profs line up to explain that the science on climate change is now unequivocal, never mind the brief clip of Donald Trump prating: 'It's a hoax, it's a hoax, OK'."

From BBC