Chop - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT chop /tʃɑp/ /tʃɒp/ IPA guide

Other forms: chopped; chops; chopping

To chop is to cut something by hacking at it. In many places, there are farms where you can chop down your own Christmas tree.

When you chop wood, you usually hit it with an axe, splitting each length into narrow pieces. A chef uses a knife to chop, hacking an onion into tiny bits, for example. When it's a piece of meat that's cut so it's attached to a bone, such as part of a rib, it can be described as a chop — like a lamb chop. And if someone claps his hands at you and says, "Chop-chop!" he means "Hurry up!"

Definitions of chop

verb cut with a hacking tool synonyms: hack see moresee less types: ax, axe chop or split with an ax type of: cut separate with or as if with an instrument
verb cut into pieces “Chop wood” “chop meat” synonyms: chop up see moresee less types: hash chop up mince cut into small pieces type of: cut separate with or as if with an instrument
verb form or shape by chopping “chop a hole in the ground” see moresee less type of: create, make make or cause to be or to become
verb hit sharply see moresee less type of: hit, strike make a strategic, offensive, assault against an enemy, opponent, or a target
verb strike sharply, as in some sports see moresee less type of: strike, zonk deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
noun a small cut of meat including part of a rib see moresee less types: mutton chop chop cut from a mature sheep lamb chop, lamb-chop, lambchop chop cut from a lamb porkchop chop cut from a hog type of: cut, cut of meat a piece of meat that has been cut from an animal carcass
noun a tennis return made with a downward motion that puts backspin on the ball synonyms: chop shot see moresee less type of: return a tennis stroke that sends the ball back to the other player
noun a grounder that bounces high in the air synonyms: chopper see moresee less type of: ground ball, groundball, grounder, hopper (baseball) a hit that travels along the ground
verb move suddenly see moresee less type of: move move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion
noun the irregular motion of waves (usually caused by wind blowing in a direction opposite to the tide) “the boat headed into the chop” see moresee less type of: physical phenomenon a natural phenomenon involving the physical properties of matter and energy
noun a jaw “I'll hit him on the chops” see moresee less type of: jaw the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth

Pronunciation US /tʃɑp/ UK /tʃɒp/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘chop'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

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