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Definitions

small talk

NOUN
chit-chat
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blather chatter chitchat pleasantry
WEAK
babble beauty-parlor chitchat blab casual conversation chat conversation gab gossip idle chat idle chatter idle talk jabber light talk polite remark prattle rumors table talk trivial conversation yakking

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 44-year-old listened to her colleagues’ speeches and those of other hopefuls, made small talk with fellow members and then left.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026

A quick "You okay?" followed by "Yeah, I'm fine" is surface-level small talk.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

I learned the first names of my immediate neighbors through brief elevator rides and laundry room small talk.

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2026

“We may do small talk like, ‘How’s the weather?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

Dad tried to make small talk on the whole drive over, even though he’s not very good at small talk.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller