champ
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for champ, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Informal word for a champion — the winner of a contest or competition.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use champ
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English champen, chammen (“to bite; gnash the teeth”), perhaps originally imitative.
Full origin of champ →Frequently asked questions
What does “champ” mean?
The word “champ” means informal word for a champion — the winner of a contest or competition. In plain terms, a casual short form of "champion," or the action of chewing impatiently (as in the phrase "champing at the bit").
How do you pronounce “champ”?
“Champ” is pronounced champ (/t͡ʃæmp/ in IPA).
How do you use “champ” in a sentence?
Here is “champ” used in a sentence: “The crowd chanted "champ, champ" as the boxer raised his belt.”
What part of speech is “champ”?
Depending on how it is used, “champ” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “champ” a common word?
“Champ” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “champ” have?
“Champ” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal word for a champion — the winner of a contest or competition.
What is the difference between "champ" and "champion"?
"Champ" is an informal, shortened form of "champion," meaning the winner of a contest. "Champion" is the full, more formal word. They mean the same thing, but "champ" is casual and is also often used as a friendly form of address.
Is it "champing at the bit" or "chomping at the bit"?
The original phrase is "champing at the bit," from the verb "champ," meaning to chew noisily. "Chomping at the bit" is now a very common variant and is widely accepted, though "champing" remains the traditional form.
Is "champ" formal or informal?
In the sense of a champion, "champ" is informal and often affectionate, used in casual speech or as a nickname. For formal or written contexts, the full word "champion" is the better choice.