1 chump | Definition of chump

chump

noun
\ ˈchəmp How to pronounce chump (audio) \
plural chumps

Definition of chump

informal : a person who is easily tricked : a stupid or foolish person When you get down to it, he's a sucker. A chump. He's spent more time and money on me in six weeks than all the men I've known put together.— Terry McMillan — see also chump change

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Synonyms for chump

Synonyms

dupe, gull, mug [chiefly British], patsy, pigeon, pushover, sap, soft touch, sucker, tool

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Examples of chump in a Sentence

the guy trying to unload that used car must have thought that I was a chump

Recent Examples on the Web

The Gophers almost went from wannabe champs to looking-to-be chumps. Bob Sansevere, Twin Cities, "Bob Sansevere: Gophers’ aspirations and expectations survive, barely," 29 Aug. 2019 After all, being a hero of the anti-Trump resistance, especially when Amazon lately has been vilified from the left, is better than being the chump starring in a garden-variety case of rich-guy infidelity. Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, "Suddenly, Bezos Is Media’s Hero," 12 Feb. 2019 Given that deduction, remaining a salaried employee is really for chumps. Houston Chronicle, "A tax dodge for all people, or at least some people," 8 Apr. 2018 Stuck working in the city like a chump while your friends make their weekend treks to coastal properties? Shannon Rooney, Philly.com, "Three suburban Philly pools fit for an epic staycation," 5 June 2018 Given that deduction, remaining a salaried employee is really for chumps. Houston Chronicle, "A tax dodge for all people, or at least some people," 8 Apr. 2018 Given that deduction, remaining a salaried employee is really for chumps. Houston Chronicle, "A tax dodge for all people, or at least some people," 8 Apr. 2018 Old Verlander is making the Verlander of old look like a chump. Jon Tayler, SI.com, "The Reinvigorated and Brilliant Justin Verlander Reaches 2,500 Strikeouts," 17 May 2018 What if, somehow, Larry got hurt stepping over this chump? Greg Moore, azcentral, "Moore: What happens when Larry Fitzgerald takes on a bozo sports columnist? Find out here," 21 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chump.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of chump

1872, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for chump

perhaps blend of chunk and lump

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More Definitions for chump

chump

noun

English Language Learners Definition of chump

informal : a person who is easy to trick : a stupid or foolish person

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More from Merriam-Webster on chump

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with chump

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chump

Spanish Central: Translation of chump

Nglish: Translation of chump for Spanish Speakers