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to prate

to prate

1 9.9
To talk for a long time about things that do not matter
  • verb
  • /preɪt/
  • Literature
translation icon : hablar sin parar
  • "That dissidents are left to prate on about their opinions, unscathed by the identification they should bear."

Examples

  • And you prate to me of love.

  • They tend to prate on and on about their weekend plans without considering what anyone else might want to discuss.

  • During the meeting, Karen prated endlessly about the weather, ignoring the real issues at hand.

  • While they prate about trivial gossip, important decisions remain unaddressed in the community.

Synonyms

to chatter
vsto prate
86 2.7

To talk quickly and without stopping about unimportant things

focuses on slow tedious length about trivial matters rather than quickness
to run on
vsto prate
  • Informal
38 5.0

To talk for a long time without stopping, often giving too many details

highlights tedious trivial content rather than lack of interruption or relevance
to ramble on
vsto prate
  • Informal
15 6.2

Talk for a long time in an unclear way about small unimportant things

is more about long tedious trivial talk than aimless confusion
to blather
vsto prate
  • Informal
12 8.0

To talk a lot in a silly way that makes little sense

stresses tedious talking about trivial matters more than meaningless tone
to prattle
vsto prate
9 8.4

To talk on and on in a silly way about unimportant things

focuses on tedious length about unimportant matters rather than sheer foolishness
to belabor
vsto prate
  • US
9 8.1

To talk about something for too long and say the same things again

is about long foolish trivial talk rather than repeated criticism
to blabber
vsto prate
  • Informal
6 7.8

To talk too much and tell secrets carelessly

focuses on long foolish trivial speech rather than careless disclosure
to rattle on
vsto prate
  • Informal
5 6.6

To talk for a long time about small boring things

matches tired long talking but stresses boring delivery more than foolishness
to clack
vsto prate
  • Archaic
3 8.4

To talk quickly about small, unimportant things

is similar but centres on prolonged tedious speaking rather than speed
to tattle
vsto prate
  • Informal
1 7.1

To talk a lot about small unimportant things, often about other people

focuses on tedious, foolish length rather than the gossipy aspect
to gabble
vsto prate
1 7.9

To talk quickly and unclearly so others cannot understand you

rather than unintelligible speed, emphasizes long tedious trivial subject matter
to palaver
vsto prate
1 9.4

To talk for a long time about unimportant things

is more about tedious triviality rather than elaborate style
to blether
vsto prate
  • UK
1 9.9

To talk a long time in a silly or unimportant way

is more about tedious long talk about unimportant things than silliness
to twaddle
vsto prate
  • Archaic
9.0

To talk for a long time about unimportant things in a silly way

emphasizes long tedious talking rather than fast or nonsensical delivery
to maunder
vsto prate
  • UK
9.9

To talk in a slow, unclear way about unimportant things

focuses more on length and tediousness rather than indistinct rambling
to tittle-tattle
vsto prate
  • Archaic
9.1

Talk in a light, silly way about other people

is more generally long and tedious talk, not specifically gossiping
to piffle
vsto prate
  • Informal
9.9

To talk or act in a silly, unimportant way

does more about extended tedious talking specifically rather than general triviality
to gassing
vsto prate
  • UK
8.1

To talk a lot about unimportant things

leans more toward tedious, foolish length than casual friendly chat

How Meaningful

to discuss
1.6
to prate
  • Literature
1 9.9
to chatter
86 2.7
to babble
75 4.4

Surface Forms

prate infinitive
prated past
prated past participle
prating present participle
prates third person singular

Etymology

The verb prate comes from an old Dutch word praten meaning 'to talk' and is like the English word prattle, which suggests talking on and on about little things. So to prate is to talk too much about small, unimportant things.