chatter

Friendly talk about ordinary or unimportant things.

• The room was full of chatter.
• I could hear cheerful chatter from the kitchen.
• Their idle chatter kept us awake.

Similar words: chat, small talk

Common phrases: idle chatter, excited chatter, background chatter

A repeated rattling sound made when parts shake or hit each other.

• The brakes made an annoying chatter.
• We adjusted the tool to reduce chatter.
• Engine chatter grew louder as we accelerated.

Similar words: rattle, rattling

Common phrases: brake chatter, machine chatter, reduce chatter

Messages between suspected dangerous people that security services watch for signs of possible attacks.

• The agency detected increased chatter.
• Analysts monitored online chatter before the attack.
• The intercepted chatter mentioned a possible target.

Common phrases: terrorist chatter, increased chatter, monitor chatter

To talk quickly about ordinary or unimportant things.

• The children chattered happily.
• We chattered about our plans over lunch.
• She was chattering away on the phone.

How to use it: chatter about something (They chattered about their holiday.); chatter to someone (He chattered to his sister throughout the journey.)

Similar words: chat, babble

Common phrases: chatter about something, chatter away, chatter to someone

To make a repeated noise by quickly hitting together, especially when teeth shake from cold or fear.

• My teeth began to chatter.
• Her teeth chattered with cold after the swim.
• He was so frightened that his teeth were chattering.

How to use it: chatter with cold/fear (His teeth chattered with fear.)

Similar words: rattle

Common phrases: teeth chatter, chatter with cold, chatter with fear

If a machine does this, it makes a fast series of sharp, high sounds.

• The old printer began to chatter.
• Sewing machines chattered all afternoon.
• The engine chatters when it runs too fast.

Similar words: rattle

Common phrases: machine chatter, chatter loudly