chops
Britishplural noun
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the jaws or cheeks; jowls
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the mouth
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slang
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music embouchure
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jazz skill
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informal to anticipate with pleasure
Etymology
Origin of chops
C16: of uncertain origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Blue Owl touted its technology investing chops for years and helped pioneer private-credit lending to SaaS companies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
Go to the Marché des Enfants Rouges in the 3rd arrondissement in Paris for fresh oysters and a cheese plate, or to the Marché des Carmes in Toulouse for some lamb chops and fried scallops.
From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026
The Patriots defence has been brilliant in the play-offs though, bagging four interceptions off CJ Stroud, and they will be licking their chops going up against such a rusty and inexperienced quarterback.
From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026
Hudson returned to the realm of music with the flawed yet prestigious “Nine,” which showed off her singing chops and drew a SAG Award ensemble nomination, her highest recognition post-“Almost Famous.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2026
I watched her sideways as I went past, with my basket of oranges and lamb chops.
From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
