chat

[chat] /tʃæt/
verb (used without object), chatted, chatting.
1.
to converse in a familiar or informal manner.
2.
Digital Technology.
  1. to participate with others, through the Internet, in a real-time conversation in a chat room by typing one's contributions to the topics under discussion on one's computer and reading others' typed contributions on one's screen.
  2. to engage in such conversation with one other person, often to obtain live tech support or customer service from a vendor's site.
noun
3.
informal conversation:
We had a pleasant chat.
4.
Digital Technology. text-based communication in real time between two users over a network or the Internet.
See also instant messaging, chat room.
5.
any of several small Old World thrushes, especially of the genus Saxicola, having a chattering cry.
6.
yellow-breasted chat.
Verb phrases
7.
chat up, Chiefly British.
  1. to talk flirtatiously with.
  2. to talk to in a friendly, open way.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English; short for chatter
Related forms
chattable, adjective
Synonyms
1, 3. talk, chitchat, gossip, visit.
British Dictionary definitions for chat up

chat up

verb (transitive, adverb) (Brit, informal)
1.
to talk flirtatiously to (a person), esp with the intention of seducing him or her
2.
to talk persuasively to (a person), esp with an ulterior motive

chat1

/tʃæt/
noun
1.
informal conversation or talk conducted in an easy familiar manner
2.
the exchange of messages in an internet or other network chatroom
3.
any Old World songbird of the subfamily Turdinae (thrushes, etc) having a harsh chattering cry See also stonechat, whinchat
4.
any of various North American warblers, such as Icteria virens (yellow-breasted chat)
5.
any of various Australian wrens (family Muscicapidae) of the genus Ephthianura and other genera
verb (intransitive) chats, chatting, chatted
6.
to talk in an easy familiar way
7.
to exchange messages in a chatroom
See also chat up
Word Origin
C16: short for chatter

chat2

/tʃæt/
noun
1.
(archaic or dialect) a catkin, esp a willow catkin
Word Origin
C15: from French chat cat, referring to the furry appearance
Word Origin and History for chat up

chat

v.

mid-15c., "talk idly, babble," short for chatter (v.). Meaning "to converse familiarly" is from 1550s. Sense of "flirt with, ingratiate oneself with" (in later use often with up (adv.)) is from 1898. Related: Chatted; chatting.

n.

1520s, "chatter, frivolous talk;" see chat (v.). Meaning "familiar conversation" is from 1570s. Chat show, for what in U.S. is a talk show, attested from 1969. Chat room in the online sense is attested by 1994, from the days when AOL ruled the Web.

Slang definitions & phrases for chat up

chat up

verb phrase

To charm and seduce with talk: You hear Elvis laughing, chatting up the crowd/ while Dartmouth seniors, a little tight, chatted up Smithies (1960s+)


chat

noun

The capability of exchanging personal messages on a computer network: As you play, you can exchange typedmessages—that'sa featurecalled ''chat'' incomputer lingo—with other players (1980+ Computer)


Idioms and Phrases with chat up

chat up

.
Talk flirtatiously to, as in Leave it to Charlie to chat up the girls. This usage is mostly but not entirely British. [ Late 1800s ]
.
Engage in light, friendly talk, as in He was soon chatting up all the board members. [ Mid-1900s ]