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 WebThe 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
Bodegas Compostela is a classic Spanish restaurant with outstanding wines, lamb chops, crisp suckling pig and chocolate soufflé.
—Luisita Lopez Torregrosa, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
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
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
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
Bodegas Compostela is a classic Spanish restaurant with outstanding wines, lamb chops, crisp suckling pig and chocolate soufflé.
—Luisita Lopez Torregrosa, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
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
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 26 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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