chinwag: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “chinwag” mean?
An informal and friendly conversation or chat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal and friendly conversation or chat.
A lengthy, often gossipy or idle, talk with someone; a natter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily a British (and Irish/Australian) colloquialism. Very rarely used in American English.
Connotations
In the UK: heartwarmingly informal, nostalgic. In the US: perceived as a quaint Britishism.
Frequency
Common in UK informal speech, especially among older generations. Extremely low frequency in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “chinwag” in a Sentence
[Subject] have a chinwag with [Person][Subject] chinwag with [Person] (verb)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chinwag” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We should chinwag over a cuppa soon.
- Mum's been chinwagging with the neighbour for ages.
American English
- (Rare) They love to chinwag on their front porch.
adverb
British English
- (Not used)
American English
- (Not used)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard) It was a real chinwag session.
American English
- (Not used)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate for formal meetings. Might be used ironically among close colleagues.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Core context. Used among friends, family, neighbours.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chinwag”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it as a verb without an object (e.g., 'We chinwagged' is better as 'We had a chinwag' or 'We chinwagged for hours').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily a noun ('have a chinwag'), but it can also be used informally as a verb ('to chinwag with someone').
No, it's friendly and informal. However, calling a formal discussion a 'chinwag' would be dismissive or sarcastic.
Extremely rarely. It is perceived as a very British term. Americans would typically use 'chat', 'gab', or 'gossip'.
It originates from late 19th-century British slang, combining 'chin' (referring to talking) and 'wag' (meaning to move briskly).
An informal and friendly conversation or chat.
Chinwag is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Chinwag: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪnwæɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪnwæɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Chew the fat (similar informal conversation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two people talking so much their chins are wagging back and forth like tails.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONVERSATION IS PHYSICAL MOVEMENT (of the jaw/chin).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'chinwag' MOST appropriate?