# chrome

/ˈkɹoʊm/ (US) · /kɹˈəʊm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chrome
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. metal coating

noun · CEFR B2

a hard, shiny metal layer used to protect and decorate other metals.

For teachers: chromium used as a decorative or protective plating for other metal objects.

- The classic car had beautiful chrome bumpers that sparkled in the sun.
- The restoration project involved stripping the rusted layers and reapplying a high-quality chrome finish to the original steel fixtures.

### 2. software interface

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the parts of a computer window that are not the content, like the borders and buttons.

For teachers: the visual design elements of a graphical user interface, such as window frames and scroll bars, that surround the primary content.

- The new browser design uses very little chrome to give more space to the website.
- Modern web design trends favour a 'content-first' approach, often reducing the browser chrome to a minimal set of essential controls.

### 3. handguns

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · American English

a slang word for a gun.

For teachers: a metonymic slang term for a handgun, typically referring to a pistol with a shiny or metallic finish.

- The lyrics of the song mentioned someone carrying chrome in their belt.
- The gritty urban drama used 'chrome' as a recurring slang term to underscore the constant threat of violence in the neighbourhood.

### 4. to plate with metal

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to cover a metal object with a layer of chrome.

For teachers: to apply a layer of chromium to a surface through electroplating.

- The factory decided to chrome the handles to make them last longer.
- The manufacturer chromes the exhaust pipes not only for aesthetic appeal but also to provide a significant barrier against heat-induced corrosion.

### 5. to inhale fumes

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Dialect

to breathe in the fumes of paint or chemicals to get high.

For teachers: to engage in the inhalation of volatile substances, such as aerosol paint, for intoxicating effects.

- The police were worried about teenagers chroming in the park behind the shops.
- Local outreach programmes were established to address the rising incidence of chroming among vulnerable youth populations in the industrial suburbs.

Usage: Often used in Australian or New Zealand English.

Teaching tip: This is a highly informal and culturally specific term for substance abuse; learners should be aware of its negative connotations.

## Examples

- The classic car has shiny chrome bumpers.
- The designer chose chrome fixtures for the bathroom to give the space a modern, reflective look.
- While the underlying structure is made of steel, the exterior is plated in chrome to ensure the sculpture remains resistant to oxidation while maintaining its high-gloss aesthetic.

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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.