prater

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

prate /preɪt/   v., prat•ed, prat•ing. 

1. to talk too much;
   babble: [no object]
   She prated on about her family and he slowly began to doze off.
   [~ + that clause]
   He prated that she would never succeed.

prat•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

prate  (prāt), v., prat•ed, prat•ing, n. 
v.i. 

1. to talk excessively and pointlessly;
   babble:
   They prated on until I was ready to scream.

v.t. 

2. to utter in empty or foolish talk:
   to prate absurdities with the greatest seriousness.

n. 

3. act of prating.
4. empty or foolish talk.

• Middle Dutch praeten. See prattle
• late Middle English praten (verb, verbal) 1375–1425

prat′er, n. 
prat′ing•ly, adv.