small talk

noun

Synonyms of small talknext
: light or casual conversation : chitchat

Synonyms of small talk

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Examples of small talk in a Sentence

They made small talk while waiting for the meeting to start. at the corporate get-together we made the obligatory small talk with some people from the home office
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The conversations remained cordial, despite vehement disagreements at times, with Talarico and the voters engaging in polite small talk before delving into, at times, heavy topics. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026 Adam has made small talk with Jeanie, who has a cute dog, but that’s about it. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 Players were milling around midfield, exchanging jerseys and making small talk when Chubb appeared to say something to Jackson, who was chatting with another Bills player. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Savvy Mercury also makes its debut in Scorpio, trading small talk for deep and slightly interrogative conversations, because this Water sign doesn’t do surface-level. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for small talk

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of small talk was in 1650

Rhymes for small talk

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Browse Nearby Words

smallsword
small talk
small tiger lily
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Cite this Entry

“Small talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small%20talk. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

small talk

noun
: light or informal conversation
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