chop

[ chop ]

/ tʃɒp /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: chop / chopped / chops on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), chopped, chop·ping.

to cut or sever with a quick, heavy blow or a series of blows, using an ax, hatchet, etc. (often followed by down, off, etc.): to chop down a tree.

to make or prepare for use by so cutting: to chop logs.

to cut in pieces; mince (often followed by up): to chop up an onion; to chop meat.

(in tennis, cricket, etc.) to hit (a ball) with a chop stroke.

to weed and thin out (growing cotton) with a hoe.

Fox Hunting. (of a hound or pack) to attack and kill (a fox that has not begun to run).

verb (used without object), chopped, chop·ping.

to make a quick, heavy stroke or a series of strokes, as with an ax.

Boxing. to throw or deliver a short blow, especially a downward one while in a clinch.

(in tennis, cricket, etc.) to employ or deliver a chop stroke.

to go, come, or move suddenly or violently.

noun

an act or instance of chopping.

a cutting blow.

Boxing. a short blow, especially a downward one, executed while in a clinch.

a piece chopped off.

an individual cut or portion of meat, as mutton, lamb, veal, or pork, usually one containing a rib.

crushed or ground grain used as animal feed.

a short, irregular, broken motion of waves; choppiness: There's too much chop for rowing today.

rough, turbulent water, as of a sea or lake.

(in tennis, cricket, etc.) a chop stroke.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

Question 1 of 7

The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

affect

effect

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Idioms about chop

chop / cut down to size. cut (def. 89).

Origin of chop

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English choppen; variant of chap¹

synonym study for chop

1. See cut.

Other definitions for chop (2 of 4)

chop²

[ chop ]

/ tʃɒp /

verb (used without object), chopped, chop·ping.

to turn, shift, or change suddenly: The wind chopped to the west.

to vacillate; change one's mind.

Obsolete.

to barter.
to bandy words; argue.

Origin of chop

First recorded in 1425–75; variant of obsolete chap “barter,” Middle English chappen (with vowel as in chapman), chepen, Old English cēapian “to trade” (derivative of cēap “sale, trade”; see cheap)

Other definitions for chop (3 of 4)

chop³

[ chop ]

/ tʃɒp /

noun

Usually chops .Also chap.

the jaw.
the lower part of the cheek; the flesh over the lower jaw.

chops,

the oral cavity; mouth.
Slang. the embouchure or technique necessary to play a wind instrument.
Slang. musical ability or virtuosity on any instrument, especially in playing jazz or rock.
Slang. the music or musical part played by an instrumentalist, especially a solo passage.
Slang. ability, talent, or skill, as in an occupation or activity: He began auditioning for roles in which he would get the chance to prove his acting chops.

an entranceway, as into a body of water.

Horology. either of two pieces clasping the end of the suspension spring of a pendulum.

Origin of chop

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; perhaps special use of chop¹

Other definitions for chop (4 of 4)

chop⁴

[ chop ]

/ tʃɒp /

noun

an official stamp or seal, or a permit or clearance, especially as formerly used in India and China.

a design, corresponding to a brand or trademark, stamped on goods to indicate their identity or quality.

the signature stamp of an artist, printmaker, etc., testifying to the authenticity of a work.

quality, class, or grade: a musician of the first chop.

Origin of chop

⁴

First recorded in 1605–15, chop is from the Hindi word chāp “impression, stamp”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use chop in a sentence

And yes, someone has already called Spencer a “Small Fry,” har har.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For someone with anorexia, self-starvation makes them feel better.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Someone is determined to keep Bill Cosby off TV,” she continued.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Binge eating and purging does the same for someone with bulimia.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

But if you have a hearing and you prove that someone is mature enough, well then that state interest evaporates.
Should Teens Have The Right To Die?|Brandy Zadrozny|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Ollie saw someone standing before it, bending slightly forward in the pose of expectation.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
Ajoutez cecy, s'il vous plaist, la grande difficult qu'il y a de tirer d'eux les mots mesmes qu'ils ont.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
The back of her head will be quite in line with her charming little bust, and I for one shall walk round and laugh in her face.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Among these are "Medusa," a bronze bust; and a "Mater Dolorosa," in terra-cotta.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
Neantmoins le vieil Membertou, pere du malade, conceut asss l'affaire, et me promit qu'on s'arresteroit tout ce que j'en dirois.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various

British Dictionary definitions for chop (1 of 3)

chop¹

/ (tʃɒp) /

verb chops, chopping or chopped

(often foll by down or off) to cut (something) with a blow from an axe or other sharp tool

(tr) to produce or make in this mannerto chop firewood

(tr often foll by up) to cut into pieces

(tr) British informal to dispense with or reduce

(intr) to move quickly or violently

sport to hit (a ball) sharply downwards

boxing martial arts to punch or strike (an opponent) with a short sharp blow

Western African an informal word for eat

noun

a cutting blow

the act or an instance of chopping

a piece chopped off

a slice of mutton, lamb, or pork, generally including a rib

Australian and NZ slang a share (esp in the phrase get or hop in for one's chop)

Western African an informal word for food

Australian and NZ a competition of skill and speed in chopping logs

sport a sharp downward blow or stroke

not much chop Australian and NZ informal not much good; poor

the chop slang dismissal from employment

Word Origin for chop

C16: variant of chap 1

British Dictionary definitions for chop (2 of 3)

chop²

/ (tʃɒp) /

verb chops, chopping or chopped

(intr) to change direction suddenly; vacillate (esp in the phrase chop and change)

obsolete to barter

chop logic to use excessively subtle or involved logic or argument

Word Origin for chop

Old English ceapian to barter; see cheap, chapman

British Dictionary definitions for chop (3 of 3)

chop³

/ (tʃɒp) /

noun

a design stamped on goods as a trademark, esp in the Far East

Word Origin for chop

C17: from Hindi chhāp

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

chop

Idioms about chop

Origin of chop

synonym study for chop

Other definitions for chop (2 of 4)

Origin of chop

Other definitions for chop (3 of 4)

Origin of chop

Other definitions for chop (4 of 4)

Origin of chop

Words related to chop

How to use chop in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for chop (1 of 3)

Word Origin for chop

British Dictionary definitions for chop (2 of 3)

Word Origin for chop

British Dictionary definitions for chop (3 of 3)

Word Origin for chop