champ

¹ American  

[champ, chomp] / tʃæmp, tʃɒmp /

verb (used with object)

1. to bite upon or grind, especially impatiently.

   The horses champed the oats.

2. to crush with the teeth and chew vigorously or noisily; munch.

3. to mash; crush.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make vigorous chewing or biting movements with the jaws and teeth.

noun

1. the act of champing.

idioms

1. champ at the bit, to betray impatience, as to begin some action.

champ ² American  

[champ] / tʃæmp /

noun

Informal.

1. a champion.

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champ ¹ British  

/ tʃæmp /

verb

1. to munch (food) noisily like a horse

2. to bite (something) nervously or impatiently; gnaw

3. informal to be impatient to start work, a journey, etc

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noun

1. the act or noise of champing

2. dialect a dish, originating in Ireland, of mashed potatoes and spring onions or leeks

champ ² British  

/ tʃæmp /

noun

1. informal short for champion

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champ More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing champ

• like a champ

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Other Word Forms

• champer noun
• champy adjective

Etymology

Origin of champ¹

1520–30; perhaps akin to chap ¹; chop ¹

Origin of champ²

By shortening

Example Sentences

“Obviously they are the defending champs,” Lakers guard Austin Reaves said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Ridgeview’s team picked up a new swimmer. Charlotte something or other. She can butterfly like a champ.”

From Literature

Sticking only with the U.S. and just plucking a ticker symbol out of a hat would put the probability of picking the coming century’s champ at barely 0.02%.

From The Wall Street Journal

The five-time major champion goes back to his roots with Irish champ as a main course side dish to accompany either wagyu filet mignon or seared salmon.

From BBC

“Well, it’s unusual to meet someone who’s not champing at the bit to get into the movies. Is it true that the Chinese believe cameras and photographs take possession of the soul?”

From Literature

Related Words

• chomp