Definition

Noun: 1. A person who talks excessively, especially about trivial matters: A chatterbox is someone who talks continuously and often annoyingly, without saying much of importance. 2. (Botany) A type of orchid: A specific orchid (Epipactis gigantea) found in western North America, growing near water and characterized by its distinctive flowers.

Examples

• Person:
  • My little sister is a real chatterbox; she talks from the moment she wakes up.
  • The meeting was delayed because the chatterbox in the front row wouldn't stop asking off-topic questions.
• Plant:
  • We spotted a rare chatterbox orchid growing by the stream.
  • The chatterbox is known for its ability to thrive in wet soil.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in a mildly critical or affectionate way to describe someone, especially a child, who talks a lot. It implies the speech is constant and perhaps not very consequential.
• In botanical contexts, "chatterbox" is a common name for the orchid, also known as the "stream orchid" or "giant helleborine."

Variants and Related Words

• Chatter (verb/noun): To talk rapidly or incessantly about trivial matters; rapid, continuous talk.
  • The chatter of the birds filled the garden.
• Chatty (adjective): Fond of chatting; talkative.
  • She's in a chatty mood today.

Synonyms

• For a person: Talker, windbag, motormouth, blabbermouth, gossip.
• For the plant: Stream orchid, giant helleborine ().

Idioms and Phrases

• To have the gift of the gab: To be able to speak easily and persuasively. (This is similar but more positive than "chatterbox," which implies less control.)
  • A good salesperson needs to have the gift of the gab.

Noun

1. an obnoxious and foolish and loquacious talker
2. orchid growing along streams or ponds of western North America having leafy stems and 1 greenish-brown and pinkish flower in the axil of each upper leaf