WordGarden.iochomp
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tʃˈɒmp/
US
- /ˈtʃɑmp/
Meanings
Verb
to bite or chew noisily and eagerly
to remove a trailing newline or separator from a string in code
Noun
a noisy or eager bite or chew
Beyond the definition
When an alligator chomps down on its prey, it's using powerful jaws to bite with force! But you don't need to be a reptile to do it—people can chomp too. Think of someone happily chomping on a crunchy carrot, or impatiently "chomping at the bit" (a phrase meaning eager to start something). The sound is often part of the image: chomp, chomp, chomp goes the hungry bear! It implies a quick, decisive bite, not delicate nibbling.
To chomp means to bite down on something with force, usually making a loud noise. It's more than just eating; it's an energetic and often enthusiastic act of chewing. Imagine a playful puppy chomping on a toy or a hungry beaver chomping through wood. The word evokes a sense of power and eagerness.
You might say someone chomped down a big slice of pizza, meaning they ate it quickly and with gusto. Or you could describe heavy machinery "chomping" through debris at a construction site—using the word metaphorically to suggest a forceful, bite-like impact.
Interestingly, "chomp" isn't limited to physical biting. The idiom "chomping at the bit" describes someone who is restless and eager to begin something. Historically, the older form is "champing at the bit," referring to a horse chewing on its bit (the metal mouthpiece) while waiting to go—but "chomping" is now a very common version of the phrase.
So whether it's a literal bite, a noisy chew, or an expression of eagerness, "chomp" brings with it a sense of energy, forcefulness, and often, a characteristic sound!
Examples
- 1
Animal eating
The rabbit sat in the corner, chomping on a lettuce leaf.
- 2
Single bite
She took a big chomp out of the apple and handed it back to me.
- Patterntake a chomp out of + food
bite off a large piece
- 3
Pet behavior
The puppy kept chomping on my shoelaces while I was trying to tie them.
- 4
Fast eating
We were so hungry after the hike that we chomped through the sandwiches in minutes.
- Patternchomp through + food
eat it very quickly
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Eager impatience
The kids were chomping at the bit to open their presents.
- Phrasechomp at the bit
be very eager and impatient to do something
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- chompverbnoun
Forms
- chomping-ing formverbnoun
- chompedpast tenseverbnoun
- chompsverbnoun