# chip

/ˈtʃɪp/ (US) · /tʃˈɪp/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a fragment or break

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. fried potato (UK/Australia)

noun · CEFR A2 · British English · Dialect

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. potato snack (US/Canada)

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. electronics

noun · CEFR B1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. gambling token

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 6. sports shot

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 7. to break a small piece

verb · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 8. to contribute (chip in)

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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: Usually used as the phrasal verb 'chip in'.

## Examples

- The computer needs a new memory chip to run faster.
- Be careful walking on the old wooden deck because a chip of wood might get stuck in your foot.
- The archaeologist carefully brushed away the dirt to reveal a small obsidian chip, suggesting that ancient people had crafted tools at this specific site.

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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.