noun Common

champ

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Champ (noun) means informal word for a champion — the winner of a contest or competition. Example: “After winning the final, the young swimmer was crowned champ of the school.”

noun

Informal word for a champion — the winner of a contest or competition.

"After winning the final, the young swimmer was crowned champ of the school."

"Well done, champ, you finished the whole race without stopping!"

"The crowd chanted "champ, champ" as the boxer raised his belt."

verb

To bite down or chew noisily and restlessly, especially said of a horse chewing its bit.

"The pony champed on its bit as the rider adjusted the saddle."

"Cows champed contentedly on the grass while we walked through the field."

"He was mad, reeling about and gesticulating at the rushing train, and champing and gurgling like a lunatic." — Xavier Herbert (1938)

"The racehorses champed at their bits, eager for the gates to open."

How to use champ

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA casual short form of "champion," or the action of chewing impatiently (as in the phrase "champing at the bit").

Common mistake

The idiom is "champing at the bit" (not "chomping"), though "chomping" has become so common it's widely accepted informally.

Common pairings

champing at the bit reigning champ the champ

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: champs
Third person singular: champs
Past tense: champed

Test yourself on “champ” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

After winning the final, the young swimmer was crowned _____ of the school.

Etymology

Came from Middle English champen, chammen (“to bite; gnash the teeth”), perhaps originally an imitative word.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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winner victor titleholder conqueror chomp gnaw champion

Related words

star success master winning victory winner hero champion

Rhymes for champ

amp damp camp vamp lamp ramp kamp tramp stamp swamp cramp clamp

See all rhymes for 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.

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