ENGLISH
REFERENCE

chatting

v.
A2 Elementary US //ˈtʃætɪŋ// UK //tʃˈætɪŋ// chat·ting

v. talking to someone in a friendly and informal way. You can do this in person or by sending messages online.

v. engaging in informal, light, or familiar conversation. Often implies a lack of serious purpose or a relaxed social atmosphere.


SIMPLE

We are chatting about our weekend plans.

CONTEXTUAL

I spent the afternoon chatting with my neighbor over the garden fence while she watered her plants.

COMPLEX

While the delegates were officially there to negotiate the treaty, much of the real progress happened while they were chatting informally during the coffee breaks.

Synonyms
Usage

Often takes the preposition 'with' for the person and 'about' for the topic.

Pitfall

we are chatting the newswe are chatting about the newsChatting is usually intransitive and requires the preposition 'about' to introduce a topic.

© 2026 English Reference