chip
chihp
Chip (noun) means a small piece broken off a larger object, or the mark left where it broke off. Example: “I noticed a chip in the wall where the chair had hit it.”
noun
1
A small piece broken off a larger object, or the mark left where it broke off.
"I noticed a chip in the wall where the chair had hit it."
"There's a chip in the rim of this mug."
"A chip of paint flaked off the old door."
2
A tiny electronic circuit, or a thin fried slice of potato.
"Would you like chips or salad with your fish?"
"The phone's new chip makes it much faster."
"We ordered a large basket of chips with the burgers."
verb
1
To break a small piece off something.
"Be careful not to chip the plates when you stack them."
"The ice chipped away easily when she tapped it with a spoon."
"She chipped a tooth biting into the candy."
2
To contribute money or effort along with others.
"If we all chip in a little, we can afford the repairs."
"The neighbours chipped in to help clear the garden after the storm."
"Everyone chipped in to buy her a leaving present."
How to use chip
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small broken-off piece, a tiny computer circuit, a fried potato slice, or (as a verb) to break off a small piece or to pitch in.
UK vs US
In British English "chips" usually means thick-cut fried potatoes (US "fries"), while US "chips" means what British English calls "crisps".
Common pairings
chip in
computer chip
fish and chips
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Word forms
- Plural
- chips
- Third person singular
- chips
- Past tense
- chipped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I noticed a _____ in the wall where the chair had hit it.
Etymology
From Old English ċipp, meaning a small piece of wood or shaving, related to a Germanic root for cutting or chopping.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for chip
See all rhymes for chip →Frequently asked questions
What does “chip” mean?
The word “chip” means a small piece broken off a larger object, or the mark left where it broke off. In plain terms, a small broken-off piece, a tiny computer circuit, a fried potato slice, or (as a verb) to break off a small piece or to pitch in.
How do you pronounce “chip”?
“Chip” is pronounced chihp (/t͡ʃɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “chip” in a sentence?
Here is “chip” used in a sentence: “There's a chip in the rim of this mug.”
What part of speech is “chip”?
Depending on how it is used, “chip” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chip” come from?
The word “chip” comes from Old English. From Old English ċipp, meaning a small piece of wood or shaving, related to a Germanic root for cutting or chopping.
Is “chip” a common word?
“Chip” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “chip” have?
“Chip” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small piece broken off a larger object, or the mark left where it broke off.
What is the difference between a 'chip' and a 'crisp'?
In British English, a thin fried slice of potato is called a 'crisp,' while a 'chip' is a thick fried baton of potato (called a 'fry' in American English). In American English, that same thin fried slice is called a 'chip,' which is a frequent source of confusion between the two dialects.
What is the difference between a 'chip' and a 'microchip'?
Both a 'chip' and a 'microchip' refer to a tiny electronic circuit built onto a small piece of material such as silicon. 'Chip' is the everyday shortened term, while 'microchip' emphasises how extremely small the circuit is.
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