chitchat

[chit-chat] /ˈtʃɪtˌtʃæt/

noun

light conversation; casual talk; gossip.

verb (used without object), chitchatted, chitchatting.

to indulge in chitchat; gossip.

Origin

1700-10; gradational compound based on chat

Related forms

chitchatty, adjective

Examples from the web for chitchat

He is easily bored by chitchat but lights up when the conversation turns to politics or the environment.
He was asked to minimize chitchat and keep the troops moving.
Framed against the holly green walls, high-powered show-biz types emit a buzz of confident lunchtime chitchat.
The two white-maned television comedy icons hugged and engaged in some friendly chitchat as everyone in the hallway gawked.
Usually, they practice with chitchat about vacations and jobs, dates and children.
In other cases, parents may be too tired or stressed to engage in lighthearted chitchat with their babies.
If someone is waiting, nothing is more frustrating than watching workers engage in idle chitchat or banter.

British Dictionary definitions for chitchat

/ˈtʃɪtˌtʃæt/

noun

talk of a gossipy nature

verb -chats, -chatting, -chatted

(intransitive) to gossip

Word Origin and History for chitchat

also chit-chat, 1710, diminishing reduplicated form of chat. The verb is attested from 1821. Related: Chitchatting.

Slang definitions & phrases for chitchat

noun

Talk, esp relaxed and idle conversation; chin music: The members were enjoying a bit of chitchat when the gavel sounded (1710+)