chit-chat

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See also: chitchat and chit chat

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Reduplication of chat. Compare tittle-tattle, flim-flam, pitter-patter, etc.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (file)

Noun[edit]

chit-chat (countable and uncountable, plural chit-chats)

  1. Light conversation; casual talk, usually about trivial matters.
    • 2020 December 2, Andy Byford talks to Paul Clifton, “I enjoy really big challenges...”, in Rail, page 50:
      He speaks rapidly, with clarity and with obvious enthusiasm. No time is wasted on idle chit-chat.
  2. Gossip.

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Translations[edit]

Verb[edit]

chit-chat (third-person singular simple present chit-chats, present participle chit-chatting, simple past and past participle chit-chatted)

  1. (intransitive) To engage in small talk, to discuss unimportant matters.

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