Meaning & use
a chonk
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Meanings
nouncountable
A large, plump, or overweight animal, especially a cat, often used humorously and affectionately.
Grammar: Countable noun; usually used with 'a' or in the plural 'chonks'. Often preceded by an adjective like 'absolute' or 'real' for emphasis.
Patterns
- a chonk
- a real chonk
- an absolute chonk
- chonks
That cat is such a chonk—he can barely fit through the door.
My friend's dog is a total chonk, but he's the sweetest thing.
The internet loves sharing pictures of chonks.
nouncountableinformalhumorous
A person who is pleasantly plump or overweight, usually used in a friendly or teasing way.
Grammar: Countable noun; can be used for a person, but it may be offensive if not said jokingly among friends.
Patterns
- a chonk
- a bit of a chonk
After the holidays, I felt like a bit of a chonk.
He laughed and called himself a chonk after eating the whole cake.
Word forms
| plural | chonks |
|---|
Common combinations
- absolute chonk
- Her cat is an absolute chonk; it weighs almost 20 pounds.
- total chonk
- The puppy grew into a total chonk.
- chonk of a cat
- He's a chonk of a cat, but he's very cuddly.
- certified chonk
- That fluffy cat is a certified chonk according to the internet.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fatty
- 'Fatty' is more direct and can be insulting; 'chonk' is usually playful and affectionate.
- pudgy
- 'Pudgy' is an adjective meaning slightly fat; 'chonk' is a noun for the animal itself.
- chubby
- 'Chubby' is an adjective describing a slightly plump appearance; 'chonk' is a noun and often implies a larger size.
Opposites
Word family
- chonky adjective
- Informal adjective meaning plump or overweight, especially of an animal.
- chonkiness noun
- Informal noun meaning the quality of being a chonk; plumpness.
Commonly confused: a chonk or chunk?
a chonk vs chunk
'Chunk' means a thick piece of something (like a chunk of cheese) or a large amount; 'chonk' specifically refers to a plump animal or person.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'a chonk' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'A chonk' is a noun for a plump animal or person, so 'My cat is a chonk' fits. 'A chonk of cheese' is wrong because 'chunk' is the word for a piece. 'He chonk' is not a verb, and 'the chonk of the tree' is not a standard use.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a chonk”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.