chug

¹

[chuhg]

verb (used with or without object)

chugged, chugging 

1. Also to swallow (a drink) in large gulps or without interruption.

   He noisily chugged the entire bottle of water, then slammed it onto the table.

   She was just sitting on the bench, chugging away on a bottle of soda.

noun

1. a large gulp or swallow.

   He finished his beer in two chugs.

chug

²

[chuhg]

noun

1. a short, dull, explosive sound.

   the steady chug of an engine.

verb (used without object)

chugged, chugging 

1. to make this sound.

   The motor chugged.

2. to move while making this sound.

   The train chugged along.

chug

/ tʃʌɡ /

noun

1. a short dull sound, esp one that is rapidly repeated, such as that made by an engine

verb

1. (intr) (of an engine, etc) to operate while making such sounds

Other Word Forms

• chugger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chug¹

First recorded in 1955–60, as chug down; of imitative origin

Origin of chug²

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of chug¹

C19: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

He rose precisely at 5 a.m. for a long workout, chugged the same protein shake afterward, took a shower at 7 a.m. on the dot.

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I see my great-aunts fanning themselves and my second cousins chugging water.

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She listened for the grating chug of the wheels and metal-on-metal screech of the brakes as the train rounded each curve, but it was still too far away.

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The approaching rhythmic jingle-jingle-jingle of a great ring of keys banging against ample hips confirmed it: It was Mrs. Clarke, the head housekeeper of Ashton Place, chugging toward them at a slow but steady speed.

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Earnings keep chugging away, with more companies reporting solid quarters.

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