chipping

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   Breaking small pieces off the surface or edge of something hard, so that it is damaged or shaped.

   Grammar: Can take an object: chipping the ice. It can also stand alone: the paint is chipping.

   Patterns

   • chipping something off something
   • chipping away at something

   He is chipping old paint off the window frame.

   The sculptor spent days chipping the block of stone into shape.

   The enamel on the bathtub keeps chipping near the drain.

2. 2verbtransitive or intransitivesport

   Hitting a golf ball or soccer ball a short distance in a gentle upward arc.

   Grammar: Takes an object when you chip the ball, and has none when she is chipping onto the green.

   Patterns

   • chipping onto something
   • chipping the ball over someone

   She is chipping onto the green from the edge of the rough.

   The striker is chipping the ball over the goalkeeper.

   Chipping takes more touch than power.

3. 3verbtransitive

   Implanting a tiny electronic tag under an animal's skin so it can be identified.

   Grammar: Takes an object: the vet is chipping the puppy.

   Patterns

   • chipping a pet

   The shelter is chipping every adopted dog.

   Chipping your cat makes it easier to find if it ever goes missing.

   The vet recommended chipping the kitten at her next checkup.

Common combinations

chipping paint

The chipping paint on the fence needs to be scraped and replaced.

chipping away at

They are chipping away at the debt a little each month.

chipping the ice

We spent the morning chipping the ice off the car.

chipping onto the green

He is chipping onto the green for a birdie chance.

Synonyms and how they differ

flaking

Flaking describes thin layers peeling away, while chipping suggests hard small pieces breaking off.

nicking

Nicking means making a small cut or notch and does not imply pieces falling away.

cracking

Cracking means splitting without necessarily losing a piece, but chipping removes a fragment.

Word family

chip noun

a small broken piece

chipped adjective

damaged by a missing fragment

chipper noun

a machine for making wood chips

Commonly confused: chipping or chopping?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “chipping”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words