noun
chow
chow
noun
1
Informal: food, especially a meal or snack.
"Grab some chow before the game starts."
2
Short for Chow Chow, a fluffy Chinese dog breed known for its blue-black tongue.
"Their chow slept most of the afternoon in the shade."
verb
1
Informal: to eat, especially heartily ("chow down").
"They chowed down on burgers after the hike."
How to Use Chow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCasual word for food or eating, or the name of a fluffy dog breed.
When to use it
The "food" and "eat" senses are informal.
Common pairings
chow down
grab some chow
Word Forms
chowed past tense, chowed past tense, chows plural, chows plural, chows plural, Chows plural, chows singular, chows singular
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Etymology
Shortened from chow-chow, from Chinese Pidgin English.