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chap
1[ chap ]
/ tÊĂŠp /
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verb (used with object), chapped, chap·ping.
to crack, roughen, and redden (the skin): The windy, cold weather chapped her lips.
to cause (the ground, wood, etc.) to split, crack, or open in clefts: The summer heat and drought chapped the riverbank.
verb (used without object), chapped, chap·ping.
to become chapped.
noun
a fissure or crack, especially in the skin.
Scot. a knock; rap.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asâŠ
Origin of chap
1First recorded in 1300â50; Middle English chappen â(of a fruit) to split open, burst; (of skin) to crack, chapâ; cognate with Dutch kappen âto cutâ; akin to chip1
OTHER WORDS FROM chap
un·chapped, adjectiveWords nearby chap
chaordic, chaos, chaos theory, chaotic, Chaozhou, chap, Chapala, chaparajos, chaparejos, chaparral, chaparral bird
Other definitions for chap (2 of 4)
chap2
[ chap ]
/ tÊĂŠp /
noun
Chiefly British Informal: Older Use. a fellow; man or boy.
Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a baby or young child.
British Dialect. a customer.
Origin of chap
2First recorded in 1570â80; short for chapman
Other definitions for chap (3 of 4)
Origin of chap
3First recorded in 1325â75; Middle English chop, chappe âjaw, jawboneâ; perhaps special use of chap1
Other definitions for chap (4 of 4)
chap.
or Chap.
abbreviation
Chaplain.
chapter.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use chap in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for chap (1 of 4)
chap1
/ (tÊĂŠp) /
verb chaps, chapping or chapped
(of the skin) to make or become raw and cracked, esp by exposure to cold
Scot (of a clock) to strike (the hour)
Scot to knock (at a door, window, etc)
noun
(usually plural) a cracked or sore patch on the skin caused by chapping
Scot a knock
Word Origin for chap
C14: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch, German kappen to chop off
British Dictionary definitions for chap (2 of 4)
chap2
/ (tÊĂŠp) /
noun
informal a man or boy; fellow
Word Origin for chap
C16 (in the sense: buyer): shortened from chapman
British Dictionary definitions for chap (3 of 4)
British Dictionary definitions for chap (4 of 4)
chap.
abbreviation for
chaplain
chapter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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