noun
Uncommon
chum
chuhm
Chum (noun) means Informal: a close friend. Example: “He's been my chum since primary school.”
noun
1
Informal: a close friend.
"He's been my chum since primary school."
2
Chopped fish parts and blood scattered in the water to attract fish, such as sharks.
"The fishermen threw chum overboard to lure in the sharks."
verb
1
To spend time together as friends; to socialize closely.
"The two of them chummed around together all summer."
How to use chum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA friend, or (unrelated sense) bait made of fish scraps thrown in the water.
When to use it
Slightly dated, informal word for "friend" — common in older or British-inflected speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- chums
- Third person singular
- chums
- Past tense
- chummed
Fill the gap
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He's been my _____ since primary school.
Etymology
Recorded from the late 17th century; origin uncertain, possibly a shortening of chamber-mate or related to comrade.
Class of 1600
chum joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Related words
Rhymes for chum
See all rhymes for chum →Frequently asked questions
What does “chum” mean?
The word “chum” means informal: a close friend. In plain terms, a friend, or (unrelated sense) bait made of fish scraps thrown in the water.
How do you pronounce “chum”?
“Chum” is pronounced chuhm (/t͡ʃʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “chum” in a sentence?
Here is “chum” used in a sentence: “He's been my chum since primary school.”
What part of speech is “chum”?
Depending on how it is used, “chum” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chum” come from?
The word “chum” dates back to around 1600. Recorded from the late 17th century; origin uncertain, possibly a shortening of chamber-mate or related to comrade.
Is “chum” a common word?
“Chum” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “chum” have?
“Chum” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal: a close friend.
