chippy

[ chip-ee ]

/ ˈtʃɪp i /

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noun, plural chip·pies.

Also chippie. Slang.

a promiscuous woman.
a prostitute.

chipping sparrow.

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Origin of chippy

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; chipp(ing sparrow) + -y²; def. 1 apparently derivative of this sense, or from chip²

Words nearby chippy

Chippewa Falls, Chippeway, chipping, chipping sparrow, chipproof, chippy, chipset, chip shot, chip syringe, chip wagon, Chiquita

Other definitions for chippy (2 of 4)

chippy²

[ chip-ee ]

/ ˈtʃɪp i /

noun, plural chip·pies.

a chipmunk.

Origin of chippy

chip(munk) + -y²

Other definitions for chippy (3 of 4)

chippy³

[ chip-ee ]

/ ˈtʃɪp i /

adjective, chip·pi·er, chip·pi·est.

Ice Hockey. using or characterized by aggressive, rough play or commission of fouls: a chippy player; a chippy second period.

Canadian. ill-tempered; irritable.

Origin of chippy

Both senses were first recorded in 1885–90; chip¹ (compare chip on one's shoulder) + -y¹

Other definitions for chippy (4 of 4)

chippy⁴

[ chip-ee ]

/ ˈtʃɪp i /

noun, plural chip·pies.British Informal.

a store selling fish and chips: I picked up some takeaway from the local chippy.

a carpenter.

Origin of chippy

⁴

First recorded in 1885–90; chip¹ + -y²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use chippy in a sentence

Early in the second quarter, Wagner had to hold Bryant back when the center tried to fight Blake Griffin following a chippy play.
Five takeaways from the Wizards’ preseason loss to the Pistons|Ava Wallace|December 18, 2020|Washington Post
During the ensuing runback, tempers flared, and things got a little chippy.
15 Best Moments of the 2013 Super Bowl (VIDEO)|Ben Teitelbaum|February 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
For all the glamour of some local residents, the town itself—known to locals as "Chippy" — remains a handsome but modest place.
'World' Players' Secret Getaway|William Underhill|July 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST
David Remnick: He's a little chippy about her in the memoir.
David Remnick's 'Bridge' to Obama: Full Transcript|The Daily Beast Video|April 10, 2010|DAILY BEAST

I say, you chaps, I'm sorry I made such an ass of myself yesterday; I felt chippy over that friend of mine being killed.
Sinister Street, vol. 1|Compton Mackenzie
We awoke with the sun, feeling—I speak for myself—rather touzled and chippy, and waited a long time for the orders to proceed.
The Doings of the Fifteenth Infantry Brigade|Edward Lord Gleichen
Both rooms were furnished, but cold and gloomy; the floor of what the girl called her dressing-room was chippy and worm-eaten.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 1, April, 1851|Various
Fact is, Tweddle, I've been so doosid chippy for the last two days, I daren't touch a razor.
The Tinted Venus|F. Anstey
And when Chippy Hackee got home, he found he had caught a cold in his head; and he was more uncomfortable still.
The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes|Beatrix Potter

British Dictionary definitions for chippy (1 of 5)

chippy¹

/ (ˈtʃɪpɪ) /

noun plural -pies

British informal a fish-and-chip shop

British and NZ a slang word for carpenter

NZ a potato crisp

Word Origin for chippy

C19: from chip (n)

British Dictionary definitions for chippy (2 of 5)

chippy²

/ (ˈtʃɪpɪ) /

adjective -pier or -piest

informal resentful or oversensitive about being perceived as inferiora chippy miner's son

Derived forms of chippy

chippiness, noun

Word Origin for chippy

C20: from chip (sense 12)

British Dictionary definitions for chippy (3 of 5)

chippy³

chippie

/ (ˈtʃɪpɪ) /

noun plural -pies

an informal name for chipmunk, chipping sparrow

British Dictionary definitions for chippy (4 of 5)

chippy⁴

chippie

/ (ˈtʃɪpɪ) /

noun plural -pies

informal, mainly US and Canadian a promiscuous woman

Word Origin for chippy

C19: perhaps from chip (n)

British Dictionary definitions for chippy (5 of 5)

chippy⁵

/ (ˈtʃɪpɪ) /

adjective -pier or -piest

belligerent or touchy

Word Origin for chippy

C19: from chip (n), sense probably developing from: as dry as a chip of wood, hence irritable, touchy

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