noun

chum

chuhm

noun

Informal: a close friend.

"He's been my chum since primary school."

Chopped fish parts and blood scattered in the water to attract fish, such as sharks.

"The fishermen threw chum overboard to lure in the sharks."

verb

To spend time together as friends; to socialize closely.

"The two of them chummed around together all summer."

How to Use Chum

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA friend, or (unrelated sense) bait made of fish scraps thrown in the water.

When to use it

Slightly dated, informal word for "friend" — common in older or British-inflected speech.

chummed past tense, chummed past tense, chums plural, chums plural, chums plural, chums plural, Chums plural, chums singular, chums singular

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He's been my _____ since primary school.

Recorded from the late 17th century; origin uncertain, possibly a shortening of chamber-mate or related to comrade.

hum Shum Mitchum