Chaplin

American  

[chap-lin] / ˈtʃæp lɪn /

noun

1. Sir Charles Spencer Charlie, 1889–1977, English film actor, producer, and director; in U.S. 1910–52.

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Chaplin British  

/ ˈtʃæplɪn /

noun

1. Sir Charles Spencer, known as Charlie Chaplin. 1889–1977, English comedian, film actor, and director. He is renowned for his portrayal of a downtrodden little man with baggy trousers, bowler hat, and cane. His films, most of which were made in Hollywood, include The Gold Rush (1924), Modern Times (1936), and The Great Dictator (1940)

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Other Word Forms

• Chaplinesque
  adjective

Example Sentences

It became a fashionable West End venue, attracting a social glitterati including actors Charlie Chaplin and Marlon Brando and political figures including Sir Winston Churchill.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

Bad guys Oona Chaplin and Stephen Lang add spark to James Cameron’s third dazzling and surreal dispatch from Pandora, one that restates much of what’s come before.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026

After Chaplin left the United States in 1952, the lot was used for episodes of “The Adventures of Superman” and “Perry Mason.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2026

The greatest comedians of the 20th century were those who made movies: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, the Marx Brothers, W.C.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

Pulling the seat of his Charlie Chaplin pants to the side, he broke into deep laughter.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison