chit-chat
Light idle conversation
Chit-chat is light, casual conversation about unimportant matters—small talk to pass time or maintain social connection: We made chit-chat while waiting for the meeting to start.
The reduplicated form suggests the back-and-forth rhythm of trivial exchange.
As a verb: They chit-chatted about the weather.
Light, casual conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- pleasantriesPolite conversational formalities
- natterLight, aimless conversation
- gabLight, meaningless talk
schmooze · table-talk · catch-up · gabfest · confab · jaw · chinwag · palaver
Playful, teasing exchange
- jokesHumorous remarks or stories
- laughterVocal expression of amusement
- wittyCleverly humorous
- playfulInclined toward fun
amusing · entertaining · flippant · frivolous · silly · whimsical · jovial · teasing
Trivial, idle chatter
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- buzzContinuous low drone
scuttlebutt · dirt · juicy · backbiting · tell-tale · grapevine · scandal · innuendo
Casual social interaction
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- icebreakerTension-easing social activity
- mixerCombines ingredients or people
- receptionAct of receiving guests
get-together · meet-and-greet · sociable · gregarious · approachable · friendly · cordial · warm
Done without urgency
- unproductiveFailing to achieve results
- meanderingFollowing a winding course
- aimlessHaving no direction
- lingeringRemaining beyond expected duration
dawdling · loitering · pottering · puttering · rambling · digressing · wandering
small-talk
Light, casual conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- pleasantriesPolite conversational formalities
- natterLight, aimless conversation
gab · schmooze · table-talk · catch-up · gabfest · confab · jaw · chinwag · palaver · rap
banter
Playful, teasing exchange
playful · amusing · entertaining · flippant · frivolous · silly · whimsical · jovial · teasing · ribbing
tittle-tattle
Trivial, idle chatter
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
buzz · scuttlebutt · dirt · juicy · backbiting · tell-tale · grapevine · scandal · innuendo · blabbing
mingling
Casual social interaction
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- icebreakerTension-easing social activity
- mixerCombines ingredients or people
reception · get-together · meet-and-greet · sociable · gregarious · approachable · friendly · cordial · warm · welcoming
leisurely
Done without urgency
- unproductiveFailing to achieve results
- meanderingFollowing a winding course
- aimlessHaving no direction
lingering · dawdling · loitering · pottering · puttering · rambling · digressing · wandering
- social interactionshello, goodbye, talk, nod, conversation
- chattergab session, gabbing, gabfest, idle talk, small talk
- everyday speechsmall talk, banter, greetings, farewells, casual speech
- Reduplicativesbye-bye, mama, papa, haha, yo-yo
- Social Talktalk, converse, discuss, banter, small talk
- talkingtalking, conversing, gabbing, jabbering, yammering
chit-chatformal address
Respectful way of speaking
keynote speech · legal proceedings · parliamentary debate · lecture · testimony
chit-chatheart-to-heart
Sincere personal discussion
negotiation · interrogation · briefing · deliberation · debate