prattle

American  

[prat-l] / ˈpræt l /

verb (used without object)

prattled, prattling

1. to talk in a foolish or simple-minded way; chatter; babble.

   Synonyms:

   blab, gabble, jabber, gab

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verb (used with object)

prattled, prattling

1. to utter by chattering or babbling.

noun

1. the act of prattling.

2. chatter; babble.

   the prattle of children.

3. a babbling sound.

   the prattle of water rushing over stones.

prattle British  

/ ˈprætəl /

verb

1. (intr) to talk in a foolish or childish way; babble

2. (tr) to utter in a foolish or childish way

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noun

1. foolish or childish talk

Other Word Forms

• prattler noun
• prattlingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of prattle

1525–35; < Middle Low German pratelen to chatter, frequentative of praten to prate; -le

Example Sentences

Sick, awesome, amazing, I continued to prattle on.

From Slate • Jun. 22, 2025

I find a similar kind of nonsensical prattle in various corners of our Blue Seattle.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2024

Without this accuracy and verification, some researchers obfuscate data broker information with prattle that mirrors marketing language.

From Scientific American • Jun. 12, 2023

People who prattle on about “wellness” and self-investigation can be exhausting: Oh no, not another trendy product or program or yoga class or brain exercise or therapy or gauzy self-help book.

From New York Times • Feb. 23, 2023

They remain inside the image ring, snow falling softly on their hair and beards, and except for their forms, their prattle, the town is dead.

From "Grendel" by John Gardner