noun Uncommon

chap

Chap (noun) means informal British term for a man or fellow. Example: “He seems like a nice chap.”

noun

Informal British term for a man or fellow.

"He seems like a nice chap."

"Some poor chap lost his wallet on the train."

verb

Of skin, to crack or become rough and sore, usually from cold or dry weather.

"Her lips chapped badly in the winter wind."

How to Use Chap

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA casual British word for "guy" or "bloke", or, as a verb, for skin cracking in the cold.

When to use it

The "fellow" sense is informal and mainly British.

Common pairings

a good chap chapped lips chapped skin

Word Forms

chapped past tense, chaps plural, chaps plural, chaps plural, Chaps plural, chaps singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

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

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

He seems like a nice _____.

Etymology

Shortened from chapman, an old word for a travelling trader or dealer.

Rhymes for chap

hap mishap

See all rhymes for chap →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “chap” mean?

The word “chap” means informal British term for a man or fellow. In plain terms, a casual British word for "guy" or "bloke", or, as a verb, for skin cracking in the cold.

How do you pronounce “chap”?

“Chap” is pronounced chap (/t͡ʃæp/ in IPA).

How do you use “chap” in a sentence?

Here is “chap” used in a sentence: “He seems like a nice chap.”

What part of speech is “chap”?

Depending on how it is used, “chap” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “chap” a common word?

“Chap” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “chap” have?

“Chap” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal British term for a man or fellow.