chug

¹

[ chuhg ]

noun

1. a short, dull, explosive sound:

   the steady chug of an engine.

verb (used without object)

, chugged, chug·ging.

1. to make this sound:

   The motor chugged.

2. to move while making this sound:

   The train chugged along.

chug

²

[ chuhg ]

verb (used with or without object)

, chugged, chug·ging.

1. Also . to swallow (a drink) in large gulps or without interruption:

   He noisily chugged the entire bottle of water, then slammed it onto the table.

   She was just sitting on the bench, chugging away on a bottle of soda.

noun

1. a large gulp or swallow:

   He finished his beer in two chugs.

chug

/ tʃʌɡ /

noun

1. a short dull sound, esp one that is rapidly repeated, such as that made by an engine

verb

1. intr (of an engine, etc) to operate while making such sounds

Other Words From

• chugger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chug¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; imitative

Origin of chug²

First recorded in 1955–60, as chug down; of imitative origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of chug¹

C19: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Ferries chug several times a day between Port Angeles’ artsy downtown and Victoria, British Columbia, about a 90-minute ride across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

From Los Angeles Times

Then I’ll chug my water — it’s the first thing.

From Los Angeles Times

It's like, "Oh, make sure that they chug a Mountain Dew. Then make sure that it's also romantic. Then also, let's add some tragedy here."

From Salon

We can cram into a movie theater or a club, can even chug the sweat-filled air of a packed gym.

From New York Times

Stocks posted solid gains on Wall Street as a strong report on employment showed the U.S. economy continues to chug along.

From Seattle Times