chattering
2
5.1
- noun
- /ˈtʃætərɪŋ/
- During the meeting, the chattering of the printer made it hard to concentrate.
Examples
-
The chattering of the gears in the clock signaled it was about to stop working.
-
"You move." I started to correct him by saying that I was sitting still until it occurred to me that he meant the chattering of my teeth.
Fiction book (1997) -
He's frozen for a second, his knees knocking, teeth chattering, the works.
Fiction book (1993) -
[police radio chattering]
-
(police radio chattering)
-
(radio chattering)
-
[Distorted chattering on radio]
-
(Indistinct chattering)
-
(auctioneer chattering)
-
The constant chattering of machinery could be heard from the factory next door.
Synonyms
55
1.0
A low steady sound like bees or a machine
40
1.0
A low steady sound made by machines or many people
30
4.1
A low, quiet sound made by people speaking softly or by small movements
28
3.7
A rapid high repeated sound made by small animals or machines
15
1.2
A light regular tapping sound made by a clock or watch
13
4.0
A series of short, sharp noises like something loose hitting
11
2.7
A low steady sound like bees or a machine running
9
5.2
A loud metallic sound that often repeats or echoes
6
3.7
A soft, continuous sound made by something turning or moving fast
3
3.4
A low continuous sound made by voices or nature
1
4.4
A soft continuous buzzing sound made by something moving quickly
1
6.2
Something that is not working well makes short, sharp popping sounds
1
9.6
A soft low sound of many people talking at once
A low steady buzzing sound made by insects or machines
Antonyms
How Noisy
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Chattering comes from the same sound word chatter, which suggests quick, repeated clicks or small noises. Just as teeth can 'chatter' or birds can 'chatter', machines can make the same fast repeating noise, so chattering means a rapid series of noises from moving parts.