noun
Uncommon
chow
chow
Chow (noun) means Informal: food, especially a meal or snack. Example: “Grab some chow before the game starts.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- chows
- Third person singular
- chows
- Past tense
- chowed
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Grab some _____ before the game starts.
Etymology
Shortened from chow-chow, from Chinese Pidgin English.
Related words
Rhymes for chow
See all rhymes for chow →Frequently asked questions
What does “chow” mean?
The word “chow” means informal: food, especially a meal or snack. In plain terms, casual word for food or eating, or the name of a fluffy dog breed.
How do you pronounce “chow”?
“Chow” is pronounced chow (/t͡ʃaʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “chow” in a sentence?
Here is “chow” used in a sentence: “Grab some chow before the game starts.”
What part of speech is “chow”?
Depending on how it is used, “chow” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chow” come from?
The word “chow” comes from Chinese. Shortened from chow-chow, from Chinese Pidgin English.
Is “chow” a common word?
“Chow” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “chow” have?
“Chow” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal: food, especially a meal or snack.
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