noun Uncommon

chum

chuhm

Chum (noun) means Informal: a close friend. Example: “He's been my chum since primary school.”

noun

Informal: a close friend.

"He's been my chum since primary school."

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

To spend time together as friends; to socialize closely.

"The two of them chummed around together all summer."

How to use chum

Learner’s notes

In 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.

Word forms

chummed past tense, chummed past tense, chums plural, chums plural, chums plural, chums plural, Chums plural, chums singular, chums singular

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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.

· First attested 1600

Class of 1600 chum joined the language around 1600.

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Synonyms

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brother buddy pal sidekick crony chum salmon

Related words

person friend brother daughter sister enemy mate Mac

Rhymes for chum

hum Shum

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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.

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