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 WebHaley Van Horn, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
This youthful style featuring blond highlights is an unexpected departure from her usual chest-length brunette hair and serves as a refreshing way to change things up, as so many of her celebrity peers have chosen to counter the upcoming hot weather with neck-baring chops.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 2 May 2024
Make sure to reserve the drippings after cooking the chops to make the gravy.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 1 May 2024
Large plates include lollipop lamb chops served with mint yogurt and salsa roja,
From the bar, cocktails range $14-70, beer is $6-8 and a fantastic array of wines $10-18 per glass.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
Servers whiz by, dropping off plates in waves: what’s-not-to-like hunks of chicken karaage fried in rippling batter, smoky lamb chops, precisely triangular oshizushi crowned with mackerel, a warming finish of chazuke (rice in dashi) flecked with king salmon.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Lamb Chops With Minty Pea Puree and Pomegranate Minty peas and sweet-tart pomegranate are a great complement for gamy lamb chops.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
The 2001 hit romantic comedy The Wedding Planner might be sweet lightweight fare, but to hear Matthew McConaughey tell it, Jennifer Lopez brought heavyweight chops.
—Elizabeth Leonard, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
As always, show up with inspiration photos to guide the process, and make sure to let your stylist know any concerns or questions before getting the final chop.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2024
Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2024
Candlelight flickers over bowls of things like cannellini beans in saffron, and mutton chops beside piles of bitter cime di rapa.
—Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 3 May 2024
Here are the details of where these employers have decided to chop jobs and when the cutbacks will occur, according to the WARN letters sent to the state EDD:
— Intel, 75 job cuts in San Jose on Innovation Drive.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 3 May 2024
Toppings: Drizzle the cake with caramel sauce when serving, top with chocolate curls, chopped candy bars, toasted coconut, or sprinkles for a festive touch.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 3 May 2024
The tactile flourish of a touchscreen gave Luddites the tools to chop samples and program drum beats with an efficiency that would’ve made J Dilla blush, but the novelty of such pursuits became a substantial roadblock to ever being taken seriously by those with pro studio bona fides.
—Pete Cottell, WIRED, 2 May 2024
The removable basket can be used as a standalone strainer, while the one-handed pump effortlessly dries leafy greens, chopped vegetables, fruit, and more within seconds.
—Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
But for all the access to techniques and cuisines that TikTok has provided home cooks, the platform favors concepts, over actual recipes — eggs fried in a puddle of pesto, sandwich fillings chopped into a homogenous mixture, mini pancakes served like cereal.
—New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Bright yellow mustard cut through with acidity and chopped, raw onions sank into each bite for a welcome textural contrast.
—Ben Jarrell, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024
Noun
Laurie has also credited much of her acting chops to her time with the theater.
—Haley Van Horn, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
This youthful style featuring blond highlights is an unexpected departure from her usual chest-length brunette hair and serves as a refreshing way to change things up, as so many of her celebrity peers have chosen to counter the upcoming hot weather with neck-baring chops.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 2 May 2024
Make sure to reserve the drippings after cooking the chops to make the gravy.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 1 May 2024
Large plates include lollipop lamb chops served with mint yogurt and salsa roja,
From the bar, cocktails range $14-70, beer is $6-8 and a fantastic array of wines $10-18 per glass.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
Servers whiz by, dropping off plates in waves: what’s-not-to-like hunks of chicken karaage fried in rippling batter, smoky lamb chops, precisely triangular oshizushi crowned with mackerel, a warming finish of chazuke (rice in dashi) flecked with king salmon.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Lamb Chops With Minty Pea Puree and Pomegranate Minty peas and sweet-tart pomegranate are a great complement for gamy lamb chops.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
The 2001 hit romantic comedy The Wedding Planner might be sweet lightweight fare, but to hear Matthew McConaughey tell it, Jennifer Lopez brought heavyweight chops.
—Elizabeth Leonard, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
As always, show up with inspiration photos to guide the process, and make sure to let your stylist know any concerns or questions before getting the final chop.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2024
Verb
Cold chopped salads and hot lentil soup were also served.
—Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2024
Candlelight flickers over bowls of things like cannellini beans in saffron, and mutton chops beside piles of bitter cime di rapa.
—Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 3 May 2024
Here are the details of where these employers have decided to chop jobs and when the cutbacks will occur, according to the WARN letters sent to the state EDD:
— Intel, 75 job cuts in San Jose on Innovation Drive.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 3 May 2024
Toppings: Drizzle the cake with caramel sauce when serving, top with chocolate curls, chopped candy bars, toasted coconut, or sprinkles for a festive touch.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 3 May 2024
The tactile flourish of a touchscreen gave Luddites the tools to chop samples and program drum beats with an efficiency that would’ve made J Dilla blush, but the novelty of such pursuits became a substantial roadblock to ever being taken seriously by those with pro studio bona fides.
—Pete Cottell, WIRED, 2 May 2024
The removable basket can be used as a standalone strainer, while the one-handed pump effortlessly dries leafy greens, chopped vegetables, fruit, and more within seconds.
—Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
But for all the access to techniques and cuisines that TikTok has provided home cooks, the platform favors concepts, over actual recipes — eggs fried in a puddle of pesto, sandwich fillings chopped into a homogenous mixture, mini pancakes served like cereal.
—New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Bright yellow mustard cut through with acidity and chopped, raw onions sank into each bite for a welcome textural contrast.
—Ben Jarrell, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 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 9 May. 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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