chug

¹

[chuhg]

noun

1. a short, dull, explosive sound.

   the steady chug of an engine.

verb (used without object)

chugged, chugging 

1. to make this sound.

   The motor chugged.

2. to move while making this sound.

   The train chugged along.

chug

²

[chuhg]

verb (used with or without object)

chugged, chugging 

1. Also to swallow (a drink) in large gulps or without interruption.

   He noisily chugged the entire bottle of water, then slammed it onto the table.

   She was just sitting on the bench, chugging away on a bottle of soda.

noun

1. a large gulp or swallow.

   He finished his beer in two chugs.

chug

/ tʃʌɡ /

noun

1. a short dull sound, esp one that is rapidly repeated, such as that made by an engine

verb

1. (intr) (of an engine, etc) to operate while making such sounds

Other Word Forms

• chugger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chug¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; imitative

Origin of chug²

First recorded in 1955–60, as chug down; of imitative origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of chug¹

C19: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

American moviegoing still hasn’t fully recovered from the pandemic shutdown, and many people are losing interest in film franchises that have been chugging since before today’s teenagers were born.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Though they may trade down in some ways—including by making coffee at home—they continue to spend more overall, keeping the economy chugging.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

"House Tour is sensational, a chugging slice of 80s power-pop so instantly catchy that you're able to forgive it holding some of the album's biggest lyrical clunkers," citing some of her more suggestive lyrics.

Read more on BBC

Some in the valley have not got rid of the loud chugging of the generator quite yet.

Read more on BBC

When the underage child-women chug glasses of wine, a cutaway assures us its merely grape juice.

Read more on Los Angeles Times