chippy

¹ American  

[chip-ee] / ˈtʃɪp i /

noun

plural

chippies

1. Slang. Also chippie.

   1. a promiscuous woman.

   2. a prostitute.

2. chipping sparrow.

---

chippy ² American  

[chip-ee] / ˈtʃɪp i /

noun

plural

chippies

1. a chipmunk.

---

chippy ³ American  

[chip-ee] / ˈtʃɪp i /

adjective

chippier, chippiest

1. Ice Hockey. using or characterized by aggressive, rough play or commission of fouls.

   a chippy player;

   a chippy second period.

2. Canadian. ill-tempered; irritable.

---

chippy ⁴ American  

[chip-ee] / ˈtʃɪp i /

noun

British Informal.

plural

chippies

1. a store selling fish and chips.

   I picked up some takeaway from the local chippy.

2. a carpenter.

---

chippy ¹ British  

/ ˈtʃɪpɪ /

noun

1. informal a fish-and-chip shop

2. a slang word for carpenter

3. a potato crisp

---

chippy ² British  

/ ˈtʃɪpɪ /

adjective

1. informal resentful or oversensitive about being perceived as inferior

   a chippy miner's son

---

chippy ³ British  

/ ˈtʃɪpɪ /

noun

1. an informal name for chipmunk chipping sparrow

---

chippy ⁴ British  

/ ˈtʃɪpɪ /

noun

1. informal a promiscuous woman

---

chippy ⁵ British  

/ ˈtʃɪpɪ /

adjective

1. belligerent or touchy

---

Other Word Forms

• chippiness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of chippy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; chipp(ing sparrow) + -y ²; chippy ¹ def. 1 apparently derivative of this sense, or from chip ²

Origin of chippy²

chip(munk) + -y ²

Origin of chippy³

First recorded in 1885–90; chip ¹ (compare chip on one's shoulder ) + -y ¹

Origin of chippy⁴

First recorded in 1885–90; chip ¹ + -y ²

Example Sentences

Chippy play, plenty of trash talking and players thrown out — something more familiar to fans watching an NBA game.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 11, 2024

The court has already heard that Caroline had been wearing a dark blue Chippy jumper when her body was found.

From BBC • Dec. 1, 2023

It’s telling that, when Jimmy Kimmel’s Aunt Chippy, 84, approaches Gerry in the first episode, she is a source of comedic relief.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2023

If Gerry had any sense at all, he would have chosen Chippy instantly.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2023

Mrs. Chippy, the carpenter’s cat, had to be shot, because without the protection of the ship the dogs would have eaten him.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong