chit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal to Formal (depending on sense)
Quick answer
What does “chit” mean?
A short official note, memorandum, or voucher, especially one recording a sum owed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short official note, memorandum, or voucher, especially one recording a sum owed.
A young, small, or insignificant person (often used playfully or disparagingly); historically, a note of hand or a signed voucher for money or goods.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both senses are understood in both varieties, but the 'voucher' sense may be more persistent in British administrative or historical contexts (e.g., 'mess chit'). The informal 'young person' sense is used in both.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'chit of a girl' etc., is informal and often condescending. The financial/administrative sense is neutral but dated.
Frequency
Overall low frequency in both. The 'young person' sense might be slightly more common in UK informal speech.
Grammar
How to Use “chit” in a Sentence
N (chit) + for + N (goods/services)N (chit) + of + N (person - e.g., girl)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare/obsolete) To sprout, as seeds do.
American English
- (Rare/obsolete) To sprout, as seeds do.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Dated term for a small voucher or IOU, e.g., 'He paid with a bar chit.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical texts discussing commerce or military logistics.
Everyday
Informal, potentially offensive term for a young person, e.g., 'She's just a chit of a girl.'
Technical
Not used in modern technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chit”
- Using 'chit' in formal modern writing for 'voucher'.
- Using the 'young person' sense in polite or neutral contexts, as it is often impolite.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is relatively low-frequency. The 'voucher' sense is dated, and the 'young person' sense is informal and potentially offensive.
Very rarely. An obsolete meaning is 'to sprout' (as a seed chits), but this is almost never used in modern English.
It originates from late Middle English (denoting a young animal): related to dialect 'chit' 'a sprout'.
Yes, when used to describe a person (e.g., 'chit of a girl'), it is patronizing, dismissive, and can be considered offensive, implying they are insignificant due to youth or size.
A short official note, memorandum, or voucher, especially one recording a sum owed.
Chit is usually informal to formal (depending on sense) in register.
Chit: in British English it is pronounced /tʃɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chit of a girl/boy/thing”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CHIT as a small CHIT of paper for a small CHIT of a person.
Conceptual Metaphor
YOUTH/INSIGNIFICANCE IS SMALLNESS (chit of a girl); DEBT/OBLIGATION IS A WRITTEN RECORD (bar chit).
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'a chit of a girl', what is the primary connotation of 'chit'?