WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
prat•tle /ˈprætəl/USA pronunciation
v., -tled, -tling, n.
v.
n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025v.
- to talk in a simple-minded way;
chatter;
prate: [no object]prattling on about their jobs and their bosses.[~ + that clause]They prattled that it would be great fun to see such a star.
n. [uncountable]
- chatter;
babble.
prat•tle
(prat′l),USA pronunciation v., -tled, -tling, n.
v.i.
v.t.
n.
prat′tler, n.
prat′tling•ly, adv.
v.i.
- to talk in a foolish or simple-minded way;
chatter;
babble.
v.t.
- to utter by chattering or babbling.
n.
- the act of prattling.
- chatter;
babble:the prattle of children. - a babbling sound:the prattle of water rushing over stones.
- Middle Low German pratelen to chatter, frequentative of praten to prate; see -le
- 1525–35
prat′tling•ly, adv.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged gab, jabber, gabble, blab.