What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
chirping
Example
I woke up to the delightful chirping of birds outside my window. [chirping: noun]
Example
The birds were chirping happily in the trees as we walked through the park. [chirping: present participle]
chattering
Example
The squirrels were chattering away in the trees, gathering nuts for the winter. [chattering: present participle]
Example
The children were chattering excitedly about their upcoming field trip. [chattering: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chirping is more commonly used than chattering in everyday language, especially when talking about bird sounds. Chirping is a familiar term used to describe the cheerful sounds made by birds in nature. Chattering, on the other hand, is less common and has a broader range of meanings, including animal sounds and lively human conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between chirping and chattering?
Both chirping and chattering can be used in informal contexts. However, chirping is more commonly associated with a peaceful and natural setting, while chattering can be used in both informal and formal situations to describe lively conversation or excited sounds made by animals or people.
