chopped; chopping
1
a
: to cut into or sever usually by repeated blows of a sharp instrument
b
: to cut into pieces
—often used with up
chop up an onion
c
: to weed and thin out (young cotton)
d
: to cut as if by chopping
chop prices
a bridge chops the lake in two
2
: to strike (something, such as a ball) with a short quick downward stroke
3
: to subject to the action of a chopper
chop a beam of light
1
: to make a quick stroke or repeated strokes with or as if with a sharp instrument (such as an ax)
2
archaic
: to move or act suddenly or violently
1
a
: a forceful usually slanting blow with or as if with an ax or cleaver
b
: a sharp downward blow or stroke
2
: a small cut of meat often including part of a rib see lamb illustration
3
: a mark made by or as if by chopping
4
: material that has been chopped up
5
a
: a short abrupt motion (as of a wave)
b
: a stretch of choppy sea
6
7
chiefly British
: abrupt elimination or removal (as from a job)
it is the very top men who have got the chop—
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
chopped; chopping
Synonyms
Verb (1)
Noun (1)
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
Examples of chop in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebErnesto Lechner, SPIN, 11 Apr. 2024
So far, 2024 has brought us some major chops, candy colors and blonde — so much blonde.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
The competition: In the entree round, Denning and the other competitors faced a challenge to create a dish out of a pizza burrito, beech mushrooms, rose veal chops and taleggio cheese.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2024
But athletic director Jen Cohen needed someone with the coaching chops and personality to stand next to her other headliners, football coach Lincoln Riley and women’s basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
Chef Cameron Cousin, 46, taps into a lot of diners’ wish lists with his winning roundup of oysters Rockefeller, French onion soup, ricotta scattered with mushrooms, and a strapping pork chop that’s pure comfort (and sweetly served with apple sauce inside hollowed crab apples).
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
The three-course menu features quiche Lorraine, salmon, lamb chops, beef filets, Berkshire ham, grilled chicken and French toast.
—Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024
Clearly, this buzzy chop really is the next big thing.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2024
Known for bring her triple-threat chops to her hosting gigs, the West Side Story actress has made quite the name for herself as an awards show emcee and presenter.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2024
Jack Byram, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024
Pull the leaves off the greens and coarsely chop them (discard stems or save for another use).
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
The tech titan has revealed plans to chop more than 600 jobs in the South Bay, according to a new official filing with the state Employment Development Department.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
Bamboo cutting boards are a top choice for anyone looking for a lightweight yet durable option to complete everyday tasks, like chopping vegetables or slicing meat.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Slice top and bottom ends off 1 orange, then roughly chop it.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
During Ramadan, the backyards of Fulton Street buzz like a busy restaurant kitchen, as teams of young African men chop vegetables, stir pots and bake bread.
—Liam Stack Stephanie Keith, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Ingredients 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 Tbsp.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Made from a high-grade butcher-block material, the top can be used for chopping and preparing meals without causing any damage to the surface.
—Emma Kershaw, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Donning a glittering cape, Rick Wakeman showed off his keyboard chops as the purple lights and smoke machines did their thing.
—Ernesto Lechner, SPIN, 11 Apr. 2024
So far, 2024 has brought us some major chops, candy colors and blonde — so much blonde.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
The competition: In the entree round, Denning and the other competitors faced a challenge to create a dish out of a pizza burrito, beech mushrooms, rose veal chops and taleggio cheese.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2024
But athletic director Jen Cohen needed someone with the coaching chops and personality to stand next to her other headliners, football coach Lincoln Riley and women’s basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
Chef Cameron Cousin, 46, taps into a lot of diners’ wish lists with his winning roundup of oysters Rockefeller, French onion soup, ricotta scattered with mushrooms, and a strapping pork chop that’s pure comfort (and sweetly served with apple sauce inside hollowed crab apples).
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
The three-course menu features quiche Lorraine, salmon, lamb chops, beef filets, Berkshire ham, grilled chicken and French toast.
—Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024
Clearly, this buzzy chop really is the next big thing.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2024
Known for bring her triple-threat chops to her hosting gigs, the West Side Story actress has made quite the name for herself as an awards show emcee and presenter.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
The touchpad control offers the choice of either chopping or grinding.
—Jack Byram, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024
Pull the leaves off the greens and coarsely chop them (discard stems or save for another use).
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
The tech titan has revealed plans to chop more than 600 jobs in the South Bay, according to a new official filing with the state Employment Development Department.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
Bamboo cutting boards are a top choice for anyone looking for a lightweight yet durable option to complete everyday tasks, like chopping vegetables or slicing meat.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Slice top and bottom ends off 1 orange, then roughly chop it.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
During Ramadan, the backyards of Fulton Street buzz like a busy restaurant kitchen, as teams of young African men chop vegetables, stir pots and bake bread.
—Liam Stack Stephanie Keith, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Ingredients 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 Tbsp.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Made from a high-grade butcher-block material, the top can be used for chopping and preparing meals without causing any damage to the surface.
—Emma Kershaw, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near chop
Cite this Entry
“Chop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chop. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chop
1 of 3 verb
chopped; chopping
1
: to cut by striking especially over and over with something sharp
chop down a tree
2
: to cut into small pieces
chop onions
3
: to strike quickly or again and again
chop
2 of 3 noun1
: a sharp downward blow or stroke (as with an ax)
2
: a small cut of meat often including a part of a rib
3
: a short quick motion (as of a wave)
chop
3 of 3 verb
chopped; chopping
: to change direction
Etymology
Verb
Middle English chappen, choppen "to cut, crack"
Verb
Middle English choppen, chappen "to trade, barter"
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