English Reference

Word

chip

Phoneticschip

US/ˈtʃɪp/

UK/tʃˈɪp/

Definitions

01a fragment or break

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a small piece that has broken off something hard, or the mark left where it broke.

n. a small fragment broken off from a larger solid object, or the resulting flaw or indentation on the surface.

“Be careful, there is a small chip in the rim of this glass.”

“The antique vase was in excellent condition, save for a minor chip near the base that was barely visible to the naked eye.”

02fried potato (UK/Australia)

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Cooking British English · Dialect

n. a long, thick piece of potato that has been deep-fried.

n. a strip of potato, typically deep-fried; the standard term in British and Australian English for what Americans call 'fries'.

“We bought a large portion of chips to eat by the seaside.”

“The traditional pub lunch consisted of battered cod served with a generous helping of thick-cut chips and mushy peas.”

Synonyms

fryfrench fry

03potato snack (US/Canada)

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Cooking American English

n. a very thin, crunchy slice of fried potato sold in a bag.

n. a thin, crisp slice of potato or other vegetable that has been fried or baked; referred to as 'crisps' in British English.

“He opened a bag of potato chips to share during the movie.”

“The manufacturer reduced the sodium content in their vegetable chips to appeal to more health-conscious consumers.”

Synonyms

04electronics

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Computing Technical

n. a tiny piece of technology inside a computer or phone that holds information.

n. an integrated circuit or microchip fabricated on a small piece of semiconducting material.

“The new computer chip makes the laptop much faster than the old one.”

“Global supply chains were severely disrupted by a shortage of semiconductor chips required for modern vehicle production.”

Synonyms

05gambling token

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Sports

n. a small plastic disc used instead of money in games like poker.

n. a small disk used as a counter to represent a specific value of currency in gambling contexts.

“He pushed all his chips into the middle of the table and said 'all in'.”

“The high roller exchanged his cash for a stack of high-value chips at the casino cage before heading to the blackjack table.”

Synonyms

06sports shot

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports

n. a short, high kick or hit that sends a ball over another player.

n. a short, high-arcing shot in golf, football (soccer), or similar sports, intended to loft the ball over an obstacle or opponent.

“The striker scored with a clever chip over the goalkeeper's head.”

“The golfer executed a perfect chip from the rough, landing the ball softly within inches of the hole.”

Synonyms

lob

07to break a small piece

B1 · Intermediate

v. to accidentally break a small piece off the edge of something.

v. to break or cut a small fragment from the edge or surface of a hard object.

“I chipped my favorite mug when I dropped it in the sink.”

“The stonemason had to work carefully not to chip the delicate edges of the marble slab during installation.”

Antonyms

08to contribute (chip in)

B1 · Intermediate Informal

v. to give some money or help so that a group can buy or do something together.

v. to contribute money, time, or effort toward a collective task or purchase.

“If we all chip in ten dollars, we can buy a nice gift for the teacher.”

“Several colleagues chipped in to cover the costs of the retirement party, ensuring a high-quality catering service for the event.”

Usage

In British English, 'chips' refers to thick-cut fried potatoes, whereas in American English, they are called 'fries'.

Word family

Related words

Idioms

Domains

CookingElectronicsGamblingMedicineNauticalSports

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/chip

English Reference