Definition of chat noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

chat

noun

/tʃæt/

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[countable] a friendly informal conversation
- I just called in for a chat.
- chat with somebody I had a long chat with her.
- chat about somebody/something He always enjoyed a chat about the old days.
see also fireside chat
Synonyms discussion
discussionconversation ▪ dialogue ▪ talk ▪ debate ▪ consultation ▪ chat ▪ gossipThese are all words for an occasion when people talk about something.
discussion a detailed conversation about something that is considered to be important:
Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders.
conversation a talk, usually a private or informal one, involving two people or a small group; the activity of talking in this way:
a telephone conversation
dialogue conversations in a book, play or film:
The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue.
A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute:
The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue.
talk a conversation or discussion, often one about a problem or something important for the people involved:
I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects.
debate a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue:
a debate on prison reform
consultation a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about something:
There have been extensive consultations between the two countries.
chat a friendly informal conversation; informal talking. The countable use of chat is especially British English: I just called in for a chat about the kids. gossip a conversation about other people and their private lives:
We had a good gossip about the boss.
Patterns
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip about something
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation on something
- in (close) discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation with somebody
- to have a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip with somebody
- to hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation
Extra Examples
- We had a nice chat over a cup of tea.
- a chat about his new job
- an informal chat between the minister and a journalist
- a friendly chat with a colleague
- I just called in for a chat about the kids.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- brief
- little
- quick
- …
verb + chat
- have
preposition
- chat about
- chat between
- chat to
- …
See full entry
[uncountable] talking, especially informal conversation
- After a few more minutes of chat, she left.
- That's enough chat from me—on with the music!
- They say he's already married, but it's just idle chat.
- chat with somebody He would never engage in chat with the servants.
- chat about somebody/something There was some general chat about the weather before the interview started.
Synonyms discussion
discussionconversation ▪ dialogue ▪ talk ▪ debate ▪ consultation ▪ chat ▪ gossipThese are all words for an occasion when people talk about something.
discussion a detailed conversation about something that is considered to be important:
Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders.
conversation a talk, usually a private or informal one, involving two people or a small group; the activity of talking in this way:
a telephone conversation
dialogue conversations in a book, play or film:
The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue.
A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute:
The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue.
talk a conversation or discussion, often one about a problem or something important for the people involved:
I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects.
debate a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue:
a debate on prison reform
consultation a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about something:
There have been extensive consultations between the two countries.
chat a friendly informal conversation; informal talking. The countable use of chat is especially British English: I just called in for a chat about the kids. gossip a conversation about other people and their private lives:
We had a good gossip about the boss.
Patterns
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip about something
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation on something
- in (close) discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation with somebody
- to have a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip with somebody
- to hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation
see also chit-chat
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- idle
chat + noun
- show
- line
See full entry
[uncountable, countable] communication between people on the internet in which they see and reply to messages immediately and have a written conversation
- Fans are invited to an online chat.
- a guide to internet chat safety for children
- chat with somebody You can take part in a live chat with the movie's director this afternoon.
- chat about somebody/something There was much chat about it on internet message boards.
- chat software
- internet chat services
see also live chat, web chatTopics Phones, email and the interneta2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- Internet
- live
- online
- …
chat + noun
- forum
- group
- room
- …
See full entry

Word OriginMiddle English: shortening of chatter.

See chat in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Check pronunciation: chat

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Phrasal verbs

chat somebody up

Nearby words

aspiration

noun

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