small talk

¹

noun

1. light conversation; chitchat.

   Synonyms: gossip, chatter, banter

small-talk

²

[ smawl-tawk ]

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in or have a propensity for small talk.

small talk

noun

1. light conversation for social occasions

Word History and Origins

Origin of small talk¹

First recorded in 1745–55

Origin of small talk²

First recorded in 1780–90

Idioms and Phrases

Casual or trivial conversation, chitchat, as in We stood around making small talk until the guest of honor arrived . The small in this expression alludes to unimportant subjects of conversation, as opposed to serious or weighty ones. [Mid-1700s]

Example Sentences

"I can be in a group and it's keeping up with conversations, knowing what to say... it's not knowing the rules of small talk," said Andrew, who lives in Mount Pleasant, Swansea.

From BBC

There were hugs, there was small talk, there were thanks for their actions during the Club Q massacre.

From Los Angeles Times

Discussing the weather is one of the most politically neutral forms of small talk.

From Salon

I had small talk here and there with Dave, but taboo kept encroaching on the possibility of an “us.”

From Los Angeles Times

"They don't have to make eye contact or small talk."

From BBC

Related Words

• blather
• chatter
• chitchat
• pleasantry