chunk

¹

[ chuhngk ]

noun

1. a thick mass or lump of anything:

   a chunk of bread;

   a chunk of firewood.

   Synonyms: gob, wad, piece, hunk

2. Informal. a thick-set and strong person.
3. a strong and stoutly built horse or other animal.
4. a substantial amount of something:

   Rent is a real chunk out of my pay.

verb (used with object)

1. to cut, break, or form into chunks:

   Chunk that wedge of cheese and put the pieces on a plate.

2. to remove a chunk or chunks from (often followed by out ):

   Storms have chunked out the road.

verb (used without object)

1. to form, give off, or disintegrate into chunks:

   My tires have started to chunk.

chunk

²

[ chuhngk ]

verb (used with object)

, South Midland and Southern U.S.

1. to toss or throw; chuck:

   chunking pebbles at the barn door.

2. to make or rekindle (a fire) by adding wood, coal, etc., or by stoking (sometimes followed by up ).

chunk

/ tʃʌŋk /

noun

1. a thick solid piece, as of meat, wood, etc
2. a considerable amount

Word History and Origins

Origin of chunk¹

First recorded in 1685–95; nasalized variant of chuck ²

Origin of chunk²

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; perhaps nasalized variant of chuck ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of chunk¹

C17: variant of chuck ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. blow chunks, Slang. to vomit.

Example Sentences

But it is unclear how much of it will be set aside to deal with road maintenance, as a chunk of it is being ringfenced to address problems with Northern Ireland’s wastewater infrastructure.

From BBC

There were jeers for Ohio's Paul, who wore a diamond spiked ear cover and referenced the infamous title fight where Tyson bit a chunk out of Evander Holyfield's ear in 1997.

From BBC

As a result, the organization sold a chunk of its campus — roughly 19 acres of undeveloped land — to raise money.

From Los Angeles Times

The organization intended to use a chunk of the proceeds to develop affordable housing, noting the plan in the escrow instructions of the $81-million sale.

From Los Angeles Times

And, generally, councils have not been allowed to keep the whole amount, instead having to hand a sizeable chunk back to the government.

From BBC

Related Words

• block
• dollop
• hunk
• lump
• piece
• portion
• wad