English Explanatory Dictionary

prattle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To speak incessantly and in an inconsequential or childish manner; to babble.
noun
  1. Silly, childish talk; babble.

Pronunciation

/ˈpɹætəl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prattle.wav

Word forms

prattle prattles prattling prattled

Etymology

From prate + -le (early modern English frequentative suffix). Compare Dutch pruttelen and Dutch preutelen (“to mutter”).

Synonyms

babble bat the breeze blab blabber blather carp chat chatter chew the fat chew the rag chinwag chit-chat chunner clack claver clepe drivel jabber gabble gibber go on maunder natter palaver piffle prate prattle rabbit rabbit on ramble shoot the breeze shoot the bull shoot the shit smatter tattle twaddle waffle wibble witter yabber yack yatter yap absurdity all my eye all my eye and Betty Martin applesauce bafflegab balderdash balls baloney banana oil Bandini baragouin batcrap batshit bilgewater blah blatherskite bobbins

Antonyms

orate pontificate speechify

Related words

chatterbox talkative

Derived words

prattlebox prattlement prattlesome prattler prattlingly prittle-prattle
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