chum

noun (1)

\ ˈchəm

How to pronounce chum (audio)

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Definition of chum

(Entry 1 of 5)

: a close friend : pal

chum

verb (1)

chummed; chumming

Definition of chum (Entry 2 of 5)

intransitive verb

1 : to room together

2a : to be a close friend

b : to show affable friendliness

c : to spend time with someone as a friend —usually + around In the early '50s he entered Cornell University but quit after two years and lit out for Greenwich Village, where he studied drama and chummed around with James Dean.— William Plummer et al.

chum

noun (2)

Definition of chum (Entry 3 of 5)

: animal or vegetable matter (such as chopped fish or corn) thrown overboard to attract fish

chum

verb (2)

chummed; chumming

Definition of chum (Entry 4 of 5)

transitive verb

: to attract with chum

intransitive verb

: to throw chum overboard to attract fish

chum

noun (3)

Definition of chum (Entry 5 of 5)

: chum salmon

First Known Use of chum

Noun (1)

1684, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1857, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1857, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (3)

1902, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for chum

Noun (1)

perhaps by shortening & alteration from chamber fellow roommate

Noun (2)

origin unknown

Noun (3)

Chinook Jargon cəm spotted, striped, from Lower Chinook c̓ə́m variegated

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Time Traveler for chum

The first known use of chum was in 1684

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More Definitions for chum

chum

noun

\ ˈchəm

\

Kids Definition of chum

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a close friend : pal

chum

verb

chummed; chumming

Kids Definition of chum (Entry 2 of 2)

: to spend time with as a friend She likes to chum around with older students.

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WORD OF THE DAY

apposite

highly pertinent or appropriate

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