Skip to main content
chattering

chattering

1 5.1
A fast, repeated noise moving machine parts make
  • noun
  • /ˈtʃætərɪŋ/
translation icon : traqueteo
  • During the meeting, the chattering of the printer made it hard to concentrate.

Examples

Synonyms

hum
vschattering
85 1.0

A low steady sound made by machines or many people

is similar but happens as separate rapid noises rather than steady tone
buzz
vschattering
64 1.0

A low steady sound like bees or a machine

is similar but forms clear repeated ticks or clicks rather than a smooth hum
whirring
vschattering
63 4.4

A soft continuous buzzing sound made by something moving quickly

is similar but forms as separate repeated noises rather than steady sound
rattling
vschattering
46 4.0

A series of short, sharp noises like something loose hitting

is similar but usually less metallic and more evenly repeated
murmur
vschattering
36 4.1

A low, quiet sound made by people speaking softly or by small movements

is usually faster and more varied not a low steady or complaining sound
chatter
vschattering
34 3.7

A rapid high repeated sound made by small animals or machines

is similar but often lower in pitch and more mechanical sounding
ticking
vschattering
27 1.2

A light regular tapping sound made by a clock or watch

is similar but faster and more continuous rather than neat taps
clank
vschattering
15 5.2

A loud metallic sound that often repeats or echoes

is similar but usually softer and less clearly metallic in tone
whir
vschattering
11 3.7

A soft, continuous sound made by something turning or moving fast

is similar but appears as distinct repetitions rather than an ongoing tone
murmuring
vschattering
11 3.4

A low continuous sound made by voices or nature

is more machine-like and quicker rather than gentle continuous background noise
sputtering
vschattering
7 6.2

Something that is not working well makes short, sharp popping sounds

is steadier and more regularly repeated rather than broken explosive bursts
humming
vschattering
5 2.7

A low steady sound like bees or a machine running

is more a fast repeated series of noises not a sustained single tone
bombination
vschattering
  • Archaic
9.9

A low steady buzzing sound made by insects or machines

is similar but consists of distinct repeated noises not a steady vibration
murmuration
vschattering
9.6

A soft low sound of many people talking at once

is more mechanical and faster rather than a soft indistinct human sound

Antonyms

38 3.5

A time of complete quiet and no movement that feels calm

How Noisy

bang
237 1.3
clatter
36 4.0
chattering
1 5.1
to rattle
151 2.2
hum
85 1.0
click
73 1.0

Surface Forms

chattering singular
chatterings plural

Morphology

chattering = chatter (transparent) = chatter + ing

A standard -ing nominalization from 'chatter'; the machine-related sense is an expected extension of the verb's repetitive-sound meaning and remains inferable.

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.