chit-chatting
Trading idle words
Chit-chatting is engaging in light, casual conversation—small talk about nothing in particular.
The word emphasizes the informal, unhurried nature of the exchange: We spent the afternoon chit-chatting over coffee.
Also spelled as two words or hyphenated as a noun: chit-chat.
Polite trivial conversation
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- catching upClosing a distance
- schmoozingCasual strategic socializing
mingling · nattering · gabbing · pleasantries · socializing · networking · icebreaker · water cooler
Talking at length casually
- yakkingChattering at length
- blabbingCarelessly sharing secrets
- jabberingTalking fast and incoherently
- prattlingSpeaking trivially at length
rambling · babbling · nattering · chinwagging · shooting the breeze · jawing · palavering · going on
Informal workplace chatter
- break roomStaff relaxation space
- coffee machineAppliance that brews grounds
- after hoursPast normal closing time
- coworkerFellow employee
colleague · office gossip · team bonding · lunch table · catching up · networking · mentioning · checking in
Sending typed mobile messages
- messagingSending written digital communications
- DMingSending private online messages
- emojiDigital pictograph for messaging
- group chatShared messaging conversation
voice memo · video call · WhatsApp · social media · commenting · threading · reply · notification
small talk
Polite trivial conversation
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- catching upClosing a distance
schmoozing · mingling · nattering · gabbing · pleasantries · socializing · networking · icebreaker · water cooler · coffee break
gabbing
Talking at length casually
prattling · rambling · babbling · nattering · chinwagging · shooting the breeze · jawing · palavering · going on · yapping
water cooler talk
Informal workplace chatter
- break roomStaff relaxation space
- coffee machineAppliance that brews grounds
- after hoursPast normal closing time
coworker · colleague · office gossip · team bonding · lunch table · catching up · networking · mentioning · checking in · touching base
texting
Sending typed mobile messages
- messagingSending written digital communications
- DMingSending private online messages
- emojiDigital pictograph for messaging
group chat · voice memo · video call · WhatsApp · social media · commenting · threading · reply · notification · typing indicator
chit-chattingdebating
Formal argumentative discourse
deliberating · heart-to-heart · getting down to brass tacks · conferring · philosophizing
chit-chattinggetting down to business
Focusing on the task
working · focusing · lecturing · instructing · presenting