chum
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a close friend or pal.
n.a close friend or companion. Often carries a slightly old-fashioned or British tone in modern usage.
Simple“We have been best chums since we started primary school together.”
In context“He spent the afternoon at the pub with a few old school chums, reminiscing about their university days.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.a mixture of fish parts and blood thrown into the water to attract sharks or other big fish.
n.chopped fish, blood, and other organic matter used as groundbait to attract predatory fish. Uncountable in this sense.
Simple“The fishermen threw chum into the ocean to attract the sharks to the boat.”
In context“The crew prepared a bucket of oily chum, hoping the scent would draw a great white shark toward the research vessel.”
Synonymsbaitgroundbait - 03 C1 Advanced
v.to throw fish parts into the water to attract other fish.
v.to scatter groundbait or fish offal on the surface of the water to attract prey.
Simple“They spent the morning chumming the water, but no sharks appeared.”
In context“After chumming the water for nearly two hours, the anglers finally spotted a dark shadow circling the stern.”
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
phr.v.to become very friendly with someone, especially to get an advantage.
phr.v.to become friendly or intimate with someone, typically followed by 'up'.
Simple“He tried to chum up with the boss to get a promotion.”
In context“It was obvious she was trying to chum up with the committee members before the final vote was cast.”
Synonyms - 05 C2 Proficiency
n.a specific type of large salmon found in the Pacific Ocean.
n.a species of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) also known as dog salmon.
Simple“The bears waited by the river for the chum salmon to swim upstream.”
In context“Chum salmon are often harvested for their large roe, which is highly valued in international seafood markets.”
Synonymsketadog salmon
“After my election success, the father of my best chum from those days, Biddy Peppin, insisted I was invited to tea.”
1675–85; of uncertain origin, possibly from cham, shortening of chambermate, or from comrade. Less likely from Welsh cymrawd (“fellow”), compare brawd (“brother”).
Originally American English, from the 1850s. Perhaps from Powhatan.
From Chinook Jargon tzum (“spotted, marked”), from Chinook.
From Russian чум (čum), from Komi-Zyrian чум (ćum) and/or Udmurt чум (ćum, “tent, shelter”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.