What does chat mean?
Chat refers to a casual, friendly conversation — the kind of easy, unhurried talk that happens between friends, colleagues, or neighbours. As a noun, it denotes the conversation itself ('we had a nice chat'); as a verb, it describes the act of conversing informally ('they chatted over coffee'). The word carries warm, sociable connotations and belongs firmly to informal register: nobody 'chats' in a courtroom or a board meeting, though a brief 'quick chat' can be perfectly acceptable at work. Since the 1990s, chat has also taken on a distinctly digital meaning, describing real-time online messaging — from internet relay chat rooms of the early web to today's group chats and customer-service live chats. This dual life, spanning both fireside conversation and screen-based exchange, makes chat one of the most versatile small words in everyday English.
An informal, friendly conversation.
"I bumped into Priya and we had a long chat about her new job."
Often preceded by 'have' or 'a quick' in British English.
To talk in a casual, friendly way.
"They chatted about the weather while waiting for the bus."
Real-time text-based communication conducted over the internet.
"You can reach our support team via live chat on the website."
Standard plural, used mainly for multiple separate conversations or online message sessions.
"We had several long chats during the road trip."
Before it meant typing messages online, chat was already centuries old — and the phrase 'chat up' once meant something entirely flirtier than 'message someone'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chat
Chat originated in English in the mid-15th century as a short form of 'chatter,' which itself imitates the sound of rapid, birdsong-like talk — a classic example of onomatopoeia. The verb sense of talking informally became established by the 16th century, and the noun followed shortly after. Its imitative origin links it to similar sound-echoing words across languages that mimic chattering speech. In the late 20th century, the word was repurposed for real-time online conversation, cementing its place in modern digital vocabulary.
Related word forms
How chat is actually used
Chat is informal in tone and widely used in both British and American English. In British English, 'have a chat' is extremely common; American speakers more often say 'talk' or 'have a talk.' Since the rise of the internet, 'chat' has also come to mean real-time online messaging, as in group chats and live chat support.
Easily confused with chat
Chatter refers to rapid, continuous, often trivial talk or noise, whereas chat is a relaxed two-way conversation.
A chart is a diagram or graph of information, while a chat is a casual spoken conversation — they differ by one letter but share no meaning.