# chippy

/ˈtʃɪpi/ (US) · /tʃˈɪpi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chippy
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

quick to get rough or angry during a sports game. You use it when players start pushing, fouling, and arguing over little things.

For teachers: prone to rough play, pushing, and heated exchanges during a sports contest. Often describes a game, period of play, or general atmosphere that threatens to boil over into fighting.

## Examples

- The game turns chippy in the final minutes.
- The derby turned chippy after a late tackle, and the referee warned both teams to calm down.
- As the playoff race tightens, practices grow chippy, with veterans testing rookies and coaches working to keep fierce competition from becoming careless fouls.

## Usage notes

- Typically describes a game, period of play, or atmosphere; also used predicatively for players' behaviour.

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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.