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# chattering

verb form (chatter, chatters, chattered, chattering); noun (chattering — uncountable); adjective (chattering)

«chattering» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Talking quickly and a lot about small, unimportant things: «The girls were chattering in the corridor.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/#m1)
2. (of teeth) Knocking together quickly because you are cold or scared: «My teeth were chattering.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/#m2)
3. (of birds, monkeys, squirrels) Making quick, high, repeated sounds. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/#m3)
4. (of machines) Making quick rattling noises. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science and health lessons, teeth chattering is a sign of being cold: the body shivers to make heat. In stories chattering children, birds or monkeys fill a scene with noise. «The chattering classes» (UK, informal) means educated people who like to discuss news and politics.

### Examples

- We were chattering when the teacher walked in. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/#x1)
- My teeth were chattering after the swim in the cold sea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/#x2)
- Monkeys were chattering in the trees. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/#x3)
- Stop chattering and listen, please. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/#x4)
- The magpies kept chattering on the roof. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/#x5)
- The old engine was chattering loudly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/#x6)
- ‘Yes, I am so cold that my teeth are chattering,’ said another. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/#x7)

### Note

Double t: chatter. Chattering teeth = cold or fear, not talking. Synonyms: chatting, nattering (UK), gabbing.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «chattering» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chattering/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«chattering» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/chattering.html) on Mova free.