Is 'chow' a rude word?

No, it's informal and casual, not rude. It's similar in register to 'grub' or 'eats'.

Can I use 'chow' in a business email?

It's not recommended. Use 'lunch', 'dinner', 'food', or 'catering' instead.

What's the difference between 'chow' and 'food'?

'Chow' is slang and implies a straightforward, often hearty meal. 'Food' is the neutral, standard term.

Why does 'chow' also mean a dog?

It's a shortening of 'Chow Chow', which is believed to come from a pidgin English term for Chinese miscellaneous goods. The dog and food meanings have separate etymologies.

Is “chow” formal?

Chow is usually informal, casual in register.

How do you pronounce “chow”?

Chow: in British English it is pronounced /tʃaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

chow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/tʃaʊ/US/tʃaʊ/

Informal, casual

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “chow” mean?

Food, especially when referring to a meal.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Food, especially when referring to a meal.

Also refers to a breed of dog (Chow Chow); informal verb meaning 'to eat'.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

The noun for food and the verb 'to chow down' are understood but more common in AmE. The dog breed meaning is universal.

Connotations

In AmE, casual, masculine, or military. In BrE, the food sense feels like an Americanism and is less frequent.

Frequency

High frequency in AmE casual speech; low-to-medium in BrE, where 'grub' or 'nosh' might be preferred.

Grammar

How to Use “chow” in a Sentence

chow down (on something)chow (something) down

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

chow downchow hallchow timedog chow

medium

get some chowgood chowarmy chow

weak

hot chowchow linechow bag

Examples

Examples of “chow” in a Sentence

verb

British English

We'll just chow down on these sandwiches and head out.
He's in the kitchen, chowing through a huge pizza.

American English

Let's chow down before the game starts.
He chowed his burger in three bites.

adverb

British English

American English

adjective

British English

N/A for 'chow' as a standard adjective.

American English

N/A for 'chow' as a standard adjective.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare, except in very informal contexts like 'lunch is on the company chow'.

Academic

Virtually never used.

Everyday

Common in informal AmE for referring to meals/food.

Technical

Used in pet care for 'dog chow' (a type of dry food).

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “chow”

Strong

grub nosh victuals

Neutral

food meal eats

Weak

cuisine farerefreshments

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “chow”

starvation fast abstinence

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “chow”

Using it in formal writing.
Confusing the dog breed with the food meaning in context (e.g., 'I fed the chow' could be ambiguous).
Overusing in British contexts.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it's informal and casual, not rude. It's similar in register to 'grub' or 'eats'.
: It's not recommended. Use 'lunch', 'dinner', 'food', or 'catering' instead.
: 'Chow' is slang and implies a straightforward, often hearty meal. 'Food' is the neutral, standard term.
: It's a shortening of 'Chow Chow', which is believed to come from a pidgin English term for Chinese miscellaneous goods. The dog and food meanings have separate etymologies.
: Food, especially when referring to a meal.
: Chow is usually informal, casual in register.
: Chow: in British English it is pronounced /tʃaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“Chow down!”
“Chow time!”
“Pile on the chow.”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a cow chewing its cud - 'chow' down on food.

Conceptual Metaphor

FOOD IS FUEL (casual, utilitarian).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the long mission, the soldiers headed straight to the hall.

Multiple Choice

In which context is 'chow' MOST likely to be used formally?