chat
We had a nice chat over coffee this morning.
We had a pleasant informal conversation while drinking coffee.
informal talk between people, often friendly or casual
I had a quick chat with my neighbor about the weather.
I had a brief friendly conversation with my neighbor.
The team had a chat to brainstorm ideas.
The team had an informal discussion to generate ideas.
Used in both spoken and written English, especially in digital communication (e.g., online chat rooms).
to talk in a friendly and informal way
We chatted for hours about old times.
We talked casually for hours about past experiences.
She chatted with her friends online.
She talked informally with her friends via the internet.
Often used with 'about' to specify the topic (e.g., 'chat about the movie').
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Using 'chat' in digital communication
In online contexts, 'chat' can refer to both the act of typing messages in real-time (e.g., 'I'll chat with you later') and the platform itself (e.g., 'Join our group chat').
Gold Rule
Context matters
'Chat' is informal. Avoid using it in formal writing or professional emails unless quoting direct speech.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'chattien' (to gossip), from Old French 'chater' (to chatter), of imitative origin, related to the sound of rapid speech.
Usage Notes
Common in both spoken and digital contexts. In online communication, 'chat' often refers to real-time text-based interaction (e.g., instant messaging). In social settings, it implies a relaxed, unstructured conversation.