# chap

/ˈtʃæp/ (US) · /tʃˈæp/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a man

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal

a friendly or informal way to talk about a man or boy.

For teachers: a colloquial term for a man or fellow, typically used in a friendly or neutral manner.

- He seems like a decent chap who would be happy to help us.
- The old chap at the corner shop has been a fixture of the neighbourhood for over forty years.

Usage: Commonly used in British English to refer to a male of any age.

### 2. skin cracking

verb · CEFR B2

when your skin becomes dry, sore, and cracked because of cold weather or wind.

For teachers: to become raw, cracked, or roughened, specifically referring to the skin's reaction to cold or dry conditions.

- My lips always chap if I forget to wear lip balm in the winter.
- Exposure to the biting North Sea wind caused the sailors' hands to chap and bleed despite their heavy gloves.

Usage: Often used in the passive form 'chapped' as an adjective.

### 3. a crack

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a small crack or sore spot on the skin.

For teachers: a cleft, crack, or longitudinal fissure in the skin or a surface.

- The cold weather left painful chaps on his knuckles.
- The dry desert air caused deep chaps to form in the ancient wooden door.

Usage: Usually refers to skin irritation but can describe physical surfaces in literary contexts.

### 4. part of a tool

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the 'jaws' or parts of a tool like a vice that hold something tight.

For teachers: one of the jaws or cheeks of a mechanical gripping tool, such as a vice.

- He tightened the chaps of the vice to hold the metal pipe steady.
- The technician noticed that the chaps of the clamp were worn down and could no longer provide a secure grip.

Usage: Primarily used in mechanical or engineering contexts.

### 5. Internet abbreviation

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

a short way to write the word 'chapter' when talking about books or stories online.

For teachers: a clipping of the word 'chapter', frequently used in online fan-fiction communities and digital publishing forums.

- I can't wait for the next chap of this story to be posted.
- The author promised to upload the final chap by midnight, much to the relief of the waiting subscribers.

Usage: Common in digital text-based communities; rarely used in formal writing.

## Examples

- He is a very nice chap.
- I met an old chap at the pub who told me stories about the village's history.

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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.