English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

chaps

chaps

Chaps (noun) means Sturdy leather leggings, open at the back, worn over trousers to protect the legs, especially by cowboys or motorcyclists. Example: “The rancher pulled on his chaps before heading out to check the fences.”

noun
1
Sturdy leather leggings, open at the back, worn over trousers to protect the legs, especially by cowboys or motorcyclists.
"The rancher pulled on his chaps before heading out to check the fences."

How to use chaps

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishProtective leg coverings worn over trousers, classically by cowboys.

Common pairings
leather chaps a pair of chaps
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “chaps” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The rancher pulled on his _____ before heading out to check the fences.

Etymology

Shortened from the American Spanish chaparreras, itself related to chaparral, the low, thorny scrub the leggings were designed to protect against.

Origin: Spanish

Rhymes for chaps

See all rhymes for chaps →

Frequently asked questions

What does “chaps” mean?

The word “chaps” means sturdy leather leggings, open at the back, worn over trousers to protect the legs, especially by cowboys or motorcyclists. In plain terms, protective leg coverings worn over trousers, classically by cowboys.

How do you pronounce “chaps”?

“Chaps” is pronounced chaps (/t͡ʃæps/ in IPA).

How do you use “chaps” in a sentence?

Here is “chaps” used in a sentence: “The rancher pulled on his chaps before heading out to check the fences.”

What part of speech is “chaps”?

“Chaps” is a noun.

Where does the word “chaps” come from?

The word “chaps” comes from Spanish. Shortened from the American Spanish chaparreras, itself related to chaparral, the low, thorny scrub the leggings were designed to protect against.

Is “chaps” a common word?

“Chaps” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Featured in

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial