chug

¹ American  

[chuhg] / tʃʌg /

noun

1. a short, dull, explosive sound.

   the steady chug of an engine.

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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 ² American  

[chuhg] / tʃʌg /

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.

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noun

1. a large gulp or swallow.

   He finished his beer in two chugs.

chug British  

/ tʃʌɡ /

noun

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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• chugger noun

Etymology

Origin of chug¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; imitative

Origin of chug²

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

Example Sentences

A market that keeps chugging ahead doesn’t preclude plenty of volatility under the surface, and it might not stay there.

From Barron's

Then we all heard it, the chugging of a motor.

From Literature

The deal would give Hapag-Lloyd extra capacity at a time when the shipping industry is chugging along just fine, despite some concerns about a deteriorating macroeconomic environment and the disruption that artificial intelligence could cause.

From Barron's

He chugged down glassfuls of raw eggs like Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky” and ran across town and back like a prizefighter in training.

From Los Angeles Times

With the economy still chugging along, there seems to be little that could meaningfully disrupt the rally-driving earnings growth of corporate America.

From Barron's