noun

chip

chihp

noun

A small piece broken off a larger object, or the mark left where it broke off.

"There's a chip in the rim of this mug."

"A chip of paint flaked off the old door."

A tiny electronic circuit, or a thin fried slice of potato.

"The phone's new chip makes it much faster."

"We ordered a large basket of chips with the burgers."

verb

To break a small piece off something.

"She chipped a tooth biting into the candy."

To contribute money or effort along with others.

"Everyone chipped in to buy her a leaving present."

How to Use Chip

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small broken-off piece, a tiny computer circuit, a fried potato slice, or (as a verb) to break off a small piece or to pitch in.

UK vs US

In British English "chips" usually means thick-cut fried potatoes (US "fries"), while US "chips" means what British English calls "crisps".

Common pairings

chip in computer chip fish and chips

chipped past tense, chipped past tense, chips plural, CHiPs plural, chips singular, chips singular

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There's a _____ in the rim of this mug.

From Old English ċipp, meaning a small piece of wood or shaving, related to a Germanic root for cutting or chopping.

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