chippy

¹ American  

[chip-ee] / ˈtʃɪp i /

noun

chippies plural

1. Slang. Also chippie.

   1. a promiscuous woman.

   2. a prostitute.

2. chipping sparrow.

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chippy ² American  

[chip-ee] / ˈtʃɪp i /

noun

chippies plural

1. a chipmunk.

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chippy ³ American  

[chip-ee] / ˈtʃɪp i /

adjective

chippier, chippiest

1. Ice Hockey. using or characterized by aggressive, rough play or commission of fouls.

   a chippy player;

   a chippy second period.

2. Canadian. ill-tempered; irritable.

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chippy ⁴ American  

[chip-ee] / ˈtʃɪp i /

noun

British Informal.

chippies plural

1. a store selling fish and chips.

   I picked up some takeaway from the local chippy.

2. a carpenter.

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chippy ¹ British  

/ ˈtʃɪpɪ /

noun

1. informal a fish-and-chip shop

2. a slang word for carpenter

3. a potato crisp

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chippy ² British  

/ ˈtʃɪpɪ /

adjective

1. informal resentful or oversensitive about being perceived as inferior

   a chippy miner's son

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chippy ³ British  

/ ˈtʃɪpɪ /

noun

1. an informal name for chipmunk chipping sparrow

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chippy ⁴ British  

/ ˈtʃɪpɪ /

noun

1. informal a promiscuous woman

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chippy ⁵ British  

/ ˈtʃɪpɪ /

adjective

1. belligerent or touchy

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• chippiness
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• chippies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of chippy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; chipp(ing sparrow) + -y ²; chippy ¹ def. 1 apparently derivative of this sense, or from chip ²

Origin of chippy²

chip(munk) + -y ²

Origin of chippy³

First recorded in 1885–90; chip ¹ (compare chip on one's shoulder ) + -y ¹

Origin of chippy⁴

First recorded in 1885–90; chip ¹ + -y ²

Example Sentences

“Sentimental Value’s” scenes of bittersweet family disconnection are well done, but I kept feeling like the movie really wanted to be a chippy satire about the movie business.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

The Panthers boast three of the league’s most notorious pests on their roster, each of whom is renowned for trash talking, chippy hits, and enthusiastically physical play.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2025

Ordaz and Falcón had tangled midway through the first half of the chippy game with Ordaz apparently making contact with Falcón’s face, sending him to the turf.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2025

Mr Chowdry has run the chippy for 10 years, but said he feels stuck as he cannot get insurance or any flood cover, with the latest storm costing about £10,000 in damages.

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2024

And now it was time for me to stop being a chippy high-school writer and to challenge myself.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos