Definitions
01informal conversation
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a friendly and informal talk with someone.
n. an informal, light-hearted conversation. Often used with the verb 'have'.
日本語:おしゃべり※
“I had a quick chat with my neighbour while I was watering the plants.”
“The manager had a brief chat with the team to ensure everyone was comfortable with the new schedule before the project began.”
Synonyms
02online messaging
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun Computing
n. an exchange of text or voice messages over the internet.
n. the exchange of real-time digital messages via a computer network or messaging application.
日本語:チャット※
Español:chat
“Send me a message in the group chat so I have your phone number.”
“The technical support team uses a live chat feature to resolve customer queries in real time without the need for a phone call.”
Synonyms
03to talk informally
A2 · Elementary
v. to talk to someone in a friendly, informal way.
v. to engage in informal conversation. Intransitive, typically taking the preposition 'to' or 'with'.
日本語:しゃべる※
“We sat in the café and chatted for hours about our holiday plans.”
“The delegates spent the coffee break chatting with their counterparts from other regions to build professional rapport.”
04addressing an online audience
C1 · Advanced Internet Informal · Slang · Humorous
interj. a word used by people streaming video to talk to everyone watching them.
interj. a collective vocative used by live-streamers to address their entire viewing audience as a single entity.
“Is the audio working okay, chat?”
“The streamer looked directly at the camera and asked, 'Chat, do you think we should try the secret level or go straight to the boss?'”
Usage
Used as a direct address, often at the beginning or end of a sentence.
Teaching tip
This is very specific to internet culture, particularly on platforms like Twitch or YouTube Live; it would sound strange in a physical meeting.
Etymology
Clipping of chatter. The bird sense refers to the sound of its call.
Compare chit (“small piece of paper”), and chad.
Unknown.
From thieves' cant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/chat
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0