chap

¹

[ chap ]

verb (used with object)

, chapped, chap·ping.

1. to crack, roughen, and redden (the skin):

   The windy, cold weather chapped her lips.

2. to cause (the ground, wood, etc.) to split, crack, or open in clefts:

   The summer heat and drought chapped the riverbank.

verb (used without object)

, chapped, chap·ping.

1. to become chapped.

noun

1. a fissure or crack, especially in the skin.
2. Scot. a knock; rap.

chap

²

[ chap ]

noun

1. Chiefly British Informal: Older Use. a fellow; man or boy.
2. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a baby or young child.
3. British Dialect. a customer.

chap

³

[ chop, chap ]

noun

1. Usually chaps. chop ³( def 1 ).

chap.

⁴

or Chap.

abbreviation for

1. Chaplain.
2. chapter.

chap

¹

/ tʃɒp; tʃæp /

noun

1. a less common word for chop 3

chap.

²

abbreviation for

1. chaplain
2. chapter

chap

³

/ tʃæp /

noun

1. informal.
   a man or boy; fellow

chap

⁴

/ tʃæp /

verb

1. (of the skin) to make or become raw and cracked, esp by exposure to cold
2. (of a clock) to strike (the hour)
3. to knock (at a door, window, etc)

noun

1. usually plural a cracked or sore patch on the skin caused by chapping
2. a knock

Other Words From

• un·chapped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chap¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English chappen “(of a fruit) to split open, burst; (of skin) to crack, chap”; cognate with Dutch kappen “to cut”; akin to chip ¹

Origin of chap²

First recorded in 1570–80; short for chapman none

Origin of chap³

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English chop, chappe “jaw, jawbone”; perhaps special use of chap ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of chap¹

C16 (in the sense: buyer): shortened from chapman

Origin of chap²

C14: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch, German kappen to chop off

Example Sentences

From leather chaps to a vintage Dior coat, the items that these sellers shared are reminders of why they do what they do — and what makes a piece last a lifetime.

From Los Angeles Times

"My mum kept the letters from him because she wanted me to marry another chap," explained Phyllis.

From BBC

Instead, what chaps the hide of Vance and all other Republicans whining about "censorship" is the inadequate job social media companies are doing of keeping disinformation off their platforms.

From Salon

Money talks: "Pinch your noses chaps, we’re going in. This is too good to refuse."

From BBC

Mr Hamson, who now lives in Coven, in Staffordshire, said learning more about his background had made him become a "much nicer chap".

From BBC

Related Words

• bloke
• lad