prattle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, slightly literary, often critical or dismissive.
Quick answer
What does “prattle” mean?
to talk at length in a foolish, inconsequential, or childish way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to talk at length in a foolish, inconsequential, or childish way; to chatter meaninglessly.
Used to describe speech that is trivial, incessant, or annoying in its lack of substance. Can also refer to the trivial content of such speech itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British literary or formal-informal registers.
Connotations
Equally dismissive and critical in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but understood by educated speakers. Possibly more frequent in British English due to its slightly more established presence in literary and journalistic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “prattle” in a Sentence
prattle on (about sth)prattle awayprattle sth (rare)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prattle” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- I grew tired of his constant prattle.
- The meeting was pure managerial prattle.
American English
- Her speech was just sentimental prattle.
- I ignored the political prattle on the news.
verb
British English
- He would just prattle on about football for hours.
- The toddlers prattled away happily in their playpen.
American English
- She prattled on endlessly about her vacation.
- Quit prattling and get to the point.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in critical remarks about unproductive meetings: 'We wasted an hour on managerial prattle.'
Academic
Rare; used pejoratively to dismiss trivial arguments: 'The article was dismissed as postmodern prattle.'
Everyday
Used to complain about someone's trivial or annoying chatter: 'I can't concentrate with all that prattle in the background.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prattle”
- Using it as a neutral synonym for 'talk' or 'discuss'.
- Incorrect preposition: 'prattle on something' instead of 'prattle on *about* something'.
- Confusing with 'prate', which is a near-synonym but even less common.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is dismissive and critical, so it can be rude if used directly to describe someone's speech to their face. It's more often used descriptively or when complaining about someone.
'Babble' often emphasizes unintelligible or rapid sound (like a baby or a brook), while 'prattle' emphasizes the foolish, trivial, or childish *content* of understandable speech.
Yes. As a noun, it means 'foolish or inconsequential talk'. Example: 'I've had enough of your prattle.'
It is informal and often literary. It is not appropriate for very formal or technical writing, except for deliberate stylistic effect.
to talk at length in a foolish, inconsequential, or childish way.
Prattle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpræt.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpræt̬.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “prattle on like a magpie”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PRAT (a foolish person) who TALKS a lot = PRATTLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEANINGLESS SPEECH IS CHILDISH NOISE / INTELLIGENT COMMUNICATION IS VALUABLE, FOOLISH TALK IS WORTHLESS.
Practice
Quiz
Which situation best exemplifies 'prattle'?