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
Verb (1)
chop the onions before adding them to the pot
Noun (1)
delivered a sharp chop to his opponent's neck
Recent Examples on the Web
Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
First listed in summer 2023 for just under $11.5 million, the place underwent several price chops before landing at its final ask of $8.5 million.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2024
Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
But thinking about the days of grocery shopping and hours spent chopping, baking and standing while stirring pots is the most dreaded part of the year for some.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chop 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
On the latest episode of their New Heights podcast, the brothers boast about their mom Donna Kelce’s acting chops — soon to be on view in two new Hallmark movies premiering this month.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
First listed in summer 2023 for just under $11.5 million, the place underwent several price chops before landing at its final ask of $8.5 million.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
The two chopped it up about pro wrestling and the intricacies of the sport.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
But thinking about the days of grocery shopping and hours spent chopping, baking and standing while stirring pots is the most dreaded part of the year for some.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chop
Dictionary Entries Near chop
Cite this Entry
“Chop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chop. Accessed 26 Nov. 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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