Origin of chat

1400–50; late Middle English; short for chatter

SYNONYMS FOR chat

1, 3 talk, chitchat, gossip, visit.

OTHER WORDS FROM chat

chat·ta·ble, adjective

Words nearby chat

chastise, chastisement, chastity, chastity belt, chasuble, chat, chat room, chat show, chat up, chatbot, chateau

British Dictionary definitions for chat up (1 of 3)

chat up

verb (tr, adverb) British informal

to talk flirtatiously to (a person), esp with the intention of seducing him or her
to talk persuasively to (a person), esp with an ulterior motive

British Dictionary definitions for chat up (2 of 3)

chat 1
/ (tʃæt) /

noun

verb chats, chatting or chatted (intr)

to talk in an easy familiar way
to exchange messages in a chatroom
See also chat up

Word Origin for chat

C16: short for chatter

British Dictionary definitions for chat up (3 of 3)

chat 2
/ (tʃæt) /

noun

archaic, or dialect a catkin, esp a willow catkin

Word Origin for chat

C15: from French chat cat, referring to the furry appearance

Idioms and Phrases with chat up

chat up
1

Talk flirtatiously to, as in Leave it to Charlie to chat up the girls. This usage is mostly but not entirely British. [Late 1800s]

2

Engage in light, friendly talk, as in He was soon chatting up all the board members. [Mid-1900s]