# champ

/ˈtʃæmp/ (US) · /tʃˈæmp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/champ
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. champion

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a short way of saying 'champion' — someone who has won a competition.

For teachers: a colloquial clipping of 'champion', referring to a winner of a contest or a person of high merit.

- The local team was crowned the league champ after their final victory.
- Despite being the reigning champ, the boxer entered the ring with the humility of an underdog.

### 2. term of address

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a friendly name you use to talk to a friend or a younger person.

For teachers: a familiar term of address used between peers or toward a younger male, similar to 'buddy' or 'mate'.

- Keep up the good work, champ, you are doing a great job.
- The coach patted the boy on the shoulder and said, 'Don't worry about the mistake, champ; we will get them next time.'

### 4. mashed potato dish

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Dialect

a traditional Irish meal made of mashed potatoes and green onions.

For teachers: a traditional Irish dish consisting of mashed potatoes, spring onions, butter, and milk.

- We had a big bowl of champ with plenty of butter for dinner.
- The restaurant specialised in traditional fare, serving authentic champ alongside slow-cooked beef stews.

## Examples

- The little boy felt like a champ after winning the race.
- After three hours of hard work, he finally finished the project like a champ.
- While technically a diminutive of 'champion', the term is frequently employed as a patronising or overly familiar vocative in professional settings where formal titles are expected.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.