What does chattery mean?
"Chattery" is an adjective describing someone or something marked by constant, rapid talk or chatter. Applied to people, it suggests a lively, talkative disposition — often affectionately rather than critically, as in "her chattery enthusiasm brightened the room." Applied to animals, objects, or groups, it describes a stream of quick, light, repeated sounds, as in chattery sparrows or a chattery crowd. The word derives from "chatter," a frequentative formation in Middle English imitating the sound of rapid, indistinct speech. Less common than its close relative "chatty," which focuses more on sociability, "chattery" emphasizes the sheer volume and pace of the noise or talk. It is informal to neutral in tone and appears chiefly in descriptive or literary writing, offering writers a vivid alternative when "noisy" feels too blunt and "talkative" too restrained.
Given to or characterized by constant, rapid talk or chatter.
"The chattery children could hardly contain their excitement on the bus."
When applied to people, usually carries a warm or playful tone rather than a disapproving one.
Making a rapid succession of light, repeated sounds suggestive of chatter.
"A chattery flock of starlings settled noisily in the plane trees."
Commonly used of birds, monkeys, teeth chattering from cold, or small mechanical noises.
While everyone knows someone "chatty," far fewer reach for its livelier cousin "chattery" — the perfect word for voices, birds, and crowds that simply never stop.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chattery
"Chattery" is formed from the verb "chatter" plus the adjectival suffix "-y." "Chatter" itself dates back to Middle English (as "chateren") and is a frequentative formation — a type of verb expressing repeated action — built on "chat," ultimately imitative of rapid, indistinct speech. English retains several relatives of this root, including "chatty," "chatterbox," and "chatterer," all conveying the sense of continual, lively talk.
How chattery is actually used
"Chattery" is informal to neutral in register and somewhat less common than "chatty." When applied to people it usually carries an affectionate or mildly teasing connotation rather than a critical one; applied to animals or objects it is descriptive of rapid, repetitive sound.
Easily confused with chattery
"Chattier" is the comparative form of the adjective "chatty" (meaning more talkative), whereas "chattery" is a distinct adjective derived from "chatter," describing constant or rapid talk or noise.