choom: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial, slang
Quick answer
What does “choom” mean?
Close friend.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Close friend; mate; pal. (chiefly British, informal)
Term of address for a friend, often used within working-class or youth subcultures; can imply a shared, often informal, camaraderie.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Exclusively British (and particularly Commonwealth nations like Australia/New Zealand) slang. Virtually unknown in American English.
Connotations
In the UK, associated with mid-20th century working-class and military usage (e.g., 'me old choom'). In Australia/NZ, it's a general slang term for friend.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary UK speech, considered somewhat dated. Still has some currency in Australia and New Zealand, though other terms like 'mate' are dominant.
Grammar
How to Use “choom” in a Sentence
[Subject] + be + (article) + choom + of + [Person][Subject] + address/call + [Person] + choomVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Limited to very informal contexts among friends in specific regions.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “choom”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Using it in American English where it is not understood.
- Spelling it as 'chume'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are essentially synonyms. 'Choom' is a variant spelling/pronunciation, often considered more dated or regional.
No. It is far too informal and slangy for professional correspondence.
Dictionaries record historical, regional, and specialised usage to provide a complete record of the language, not just common words.
Yes. The game popularised the term for a new global audience, using it as futuristic slang, which revived interest in this older word.
Close friend.
Choom is usually informal, colloquial, slang in register.
Choom: in British English it is pronounced /tʃuːm/, and in American English it is pronounced Not applicable (see differences above). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Me old choom' - a traditional, somewhat affectionate greeting.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CHOOM' as 'CHUM' with an extra 'O' for 'Old friend'.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRIENDSHIP IS PROXIMITY/TOGETHERNESS (implied by the informal, 'close' nature of the term).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'choom' most likely to be used and understood?