chatterer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, sometimes mildly pejorative
Quick answer
What does “chatterer” mean?
A person who talks rapidly, incessantly, and often trivially.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who talks rapidly, incessantly, and often trivially.
A person who engages in excessive, often aimless, talk; can also refer to certain birds, such as the Australian chatterer (or babbler), known for their vocal nature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and meaning are identical. Slightly more common in British English as a playful or descriptive term.
Connotations
Both carry a connotation of triviality and incessantness. Can be mildly critical or affectionately descriptive depending on context.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both dialects. More likely found in literary or descriptive contexts than in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “chatterer” in a Sentence
[be] a chatterer[have] a reputation as a chatterer[label someone] a chattererVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chatterer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He does tend to chatter on a bit during meetings.
American English
- The kids were chattering excitedly about the field trip.
adverb
British English
- He spoke chattily, but not informatively, for twenty minutes.
American English
- She explained the process chattily and with many digressions.
adjective
British English
- She has a rather chattering disposition, always nattering about something.
American English
- We could hear the chattering crowd from down the street.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used informally to describe a colleague who disrupts work with excessive talk.
Academic
Very rare. Might appear in literary analysis or sociological texts describing character types.
Everyday
Informal descriptive term for someone who talks a lot, often in family or social contexts.
Technical
In ornithology, refers to birds of the family Ptilonorhynchidae (Bowerbirds) and others known for vocalisations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chatterer”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chatterer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chatterer”
- Confusing with 'chatterbox' (more common, slightly more childish).
- Using in overly formal contexts.
- Misspelling as 'chaterer' (double 't' is essential).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be mildly pejorative, implying trivial talk, but is often used in a light-hearted or affectionate way. Context and tone are key.
A 'conversationalist' implies skillful, engaging, and substantive talk. A 'chatterer' implies rapid, incessant, and often trivial talk.
Yes, it's commonly used for birds and small animals like squirrels or monkeys that make rapid, repetitive vocalisations or sounds.
Use with affectionate adjectives or in a clearly playful context, e.g., 'You're such a cheerful chatterer in the mornings!'
A person who talks rapidly, incessantly, and often trivially.
Chatterer is usually informal, sometimes mildly pejorative in register.
Chatterer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃætərə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃætərər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Chatterbox (more common idiom for a talkative person)”
- “Have a chinwag (UK, implies chatty conversation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CHATtering SquirREL (er) - both are small, quick, and make constant, repetitive noises.
Conceptual Metaphor
A HUMAN IS A MACHINE (e.g., 'motormouth'), SOUND IS A PHYSICAL ENTITY (incessant flow of chatter).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'chatterer' LEAST appropriate?