An informal conversation; SYN. confab, confabulation.

1. Real-time conversation via computer. When a participant types a line of text and then presses the Enter key, that participant’s words appear on the screens of the other participants, who can then respond in kind. Most online services support chat; on the Internet, IRC is the usual system. See also IRC.
2. An Internet utility program that supports chat. IRC has largely superseded it.

To chew the fat; shoot the breeze; SYN. confabulate, confab, chitchat, chatter, chaffer, natter, gossip, jaw, claver, visit.

To carry on a real-time conversation with other users by computer. See also IRC.