Dictionary.com

chap

1
[ chap ]
/ tʃæp /
See synonyms for: chap / chapped / chaps on Thesaurus.com

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.

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Origin of chap

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English chappen “(of a fruit) to split open, burst; (of skin) to crack, chap”; cognate with Dutch kappen “to cut”; akin to chip1

OTHER WORDS FROM chap

un·chapped, adjective

Definition for chap (2 of 4)

chap2
[ chap ]
/ tʃæp /

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

2
First recorded in 1570–80; short for chapman

Definition for chap (3 of 4)

chap3
[ chop, chap ]
/ tʃɒp, tʃæp /

noun

Usually chaps . chop3 (def. 1).

Origin of chap

3
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English chop, chappe “jaw, jawbone”; perhaps special use of chap1

Definition for chap (4 of 4)

chap.

or Chap.

abbreviation

Chaplain.
chapter.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to chap

bloke, lad, boy, man, fellow, gent

British Dictionary definitions for chap (1 of 4)

chap1
/ (tʃæp) /

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
/ (tʃæp) /

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)

chap3
/ (tʃɒp, tʃæp) /

noun

a less common word for chop 3

British Dictionary definitions for chap (4 of 4)

chap.

abbreviation for

chaplain
chapter
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