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to chit-chat

to chit-chat

5 4.1
To talk in a friendly, light way about unimportant things
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈʧɪtˌʧæt/
  • Informal
: charlar
  • Let's sit down and chit-chat for a while over coffee.
  • just chit-chatting

Let's dive on in as I'm chit chatting with you all.

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Examples

  • We discussed my CT scan results, did an exam to confirm the results, and chit-chatted about my health and state of recovery.

    Blog text (31)
  • She calls me at work to chit-chat of all things!

    Blog text (17)
  • Just chit-chatting about this and that, right over there.

  • As we started chit-chatting, the topic turned to finding out the sex of the baby.

    Blog text (16)
  • We never had somebody show up and just interview and chit-chat.

    Blog text (14)
  • So excited I love chit chatting with you guys.

  • We sat there awhile chit-chatting.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • I have missed chit chatting with all of y'all about all things fashion.

  • The place was packed with artists, all chit-chatting about the art, the hefty turnout, and who knows what else.

    Blog text (28)
  • Let's chit chat.

Synonyms

to chat
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
269 1.0

To talk in a friendly, informal way about small everyday things

is lighter and more like small social talk
to chatter
vsto chit-chat
86 2.7

To talk quickly and without stopping about unimportant things

is lighter and less rapid than this nonstop talking
to chat about
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
40 1.6

To talk in a friendly, casual way about a subject

is more general small talk not tied to one subject
to converse
vsto chit-chat
29 3.3

To talk with someone in a friendly way

is specifically light and often unimportant social talking
to shoot the breeze
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
9 6.8

To chat in a relaxed informal way about unimportant things

is simpler light social talk rather than purposeful discussion
to chitchat
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
7 3.0

To talk in a friendly, light way about unimportant things

is written with a hyphen instead of as one word
to talk about the weather
vsto chit-chat
6 1.0

To discuss small safe topics to start conversation and fill silence

is general light social talk rather than topic specific politeness
to jaw
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
6 7.7

To talk for a long time in a relaxed, often boring way

is shorter and more lighthearted rather than long rambling talk
to chew the fat
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
3 7.9

Talk in a friendly, relaxed way for a long time

is usually shorter and more surface level than long talks
to natter
vsto chit-chat
  • UK
3 7.9

Talk in a friendly way about small unimportant things

is lighter and less continuous than a steady friendly talk
to confab
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
1 8.5

To talk briefly and informally with someone, often in private

is lighter and avoids purposeful planning or decisions
to chaffer
vsto chit-chat
  • Archaic
9.9

Talk in a friendly way about small, unimportant things

is friendly, light social talk without the clear intent to avoid important details
to bat the breeze
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
8.1

To talk in a relaxed, friendly way

is light social talk rather than focused information exchange
to batting the breeze
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
8.8

To talk in a relaxed way about nothing important

is light and informal with no important information expected
splitting the breeze
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
9.9

Talking in a friendly, relaxed way with other people

is specifically light small talk rather than purposeful discussion
to convo
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
8.7

To talk briefly in an informal way

is lighter and often more trivial than this short talk
to claver
vsto chit-chat
  • Archaic
9.9

To have a light friendly chat about unimportant things

is more trivial social exchange rather than meaningful discussion
to jive about
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
8.5

To talk in a lively, informal way about things like music

is more gentle and simple small talk than lively banter
to confabulate
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
8.7

To chat with others about small, unimportant things

is lighter and less likely to aim for decisions or ideas exchange
to jawbone
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
9.3

Talk in a friendly, relaxed way

is lighter and less likely to be prolonged or tedious
to shmoose
vsto chit-chat
  • Informal
9.3

Talk in a friendly way to try to get help or make useful contacts

is pure friendly small talk without networking or gain motive

Antonyms

∞ 1.6

To talk with other people about something, often in detail

How Casual

to prattle
9 8.4
to gab
  • Informal
1 6.9
to chit-chat
  • Informal
5 4.1
to chat
  • Informal
269 1.0
to talk
∞ 1.0
to speak
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

chit-chat infinitive
chit-chatted past participle
chit-chatting present participle
chit-chats third person singular

Etymology

Chit-chat as a verb is the same playful repeat of chat ('talk'), and the double sound shows the easy back-and-forth of small talk. So, to chit-chat is to talk in a light, friendly way without serious information.