How to pronounce chatter
Say it like CHAT-er. Chatter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (CHAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce chatter. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- CHAT
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Chatter pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- CHATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of chatter
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: CHAT-uh.
What does chatter mean?
- To talk idly.“They knitted and chattered the whole time.”
- To make a noise by rapid collisions.“He was so cold that his teeth were chattering.”
- To utter sounds which somewhat resemble language, but are inarticulate and indistinct.
- Talk, especially meaningless or unimportant talk.
- The sound of talking.
- The vocalizations of a Eurasian magpie, Pica pica.
- One who chats.
Where does chatter come from?
From Middle English chateren, from earlier cheteren, chiteren (“to twitter, chatter, jabber”), of imitative origin.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with chatter
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of chatter.
Questions about saying chatter
How do you pronounce chatter?
Say CHAT-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈtʃætɚ/. In British English it is /ˈtʃætə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in chatter?
Chatter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (CHAT). Broken into parts: CHAT · er.
Is chatter pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈtʃætə/ (CHAT-uh).