Definition of 'chaps'

Word Frequency

chaps

(tʃæps )

plural noun

Chaps are leather leggings without a seat that are sometimes worn by cowboys over their pants.

[US]

Greenough wears a blue checkered shirt, red scarf and brown chaps.

Word Frequency

chaps in British

(tʃæps , ʃæps )

plural noun

leather overalls without a seat, worn by cowboys

. Also called: chaparejos, chaparajos

Word origin of 'chaps'

C19: shortened from chaparejos

Word Frequency

chaps in American 1

(tʃæps ; chaps; ʃæps ; shaps)

plural noun

leather trousers without a seat, worn over ordinary trousers by cowboys to protect their legs

Word origin of 'chaps'

shortened from chaparejos

Word Frequency

chaps in American 2

(tʃɑps ; chäps; tʃæps ; chaps)

plural noun

chops

Word origin of 'chaps'

see chap2

Example sentences containing 'chaps'

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Anna has gone to Paris with Andy, Graham and Richard, her colleagues, lovely chaps all. Alex George LOVE YOU MADLY (2002)I hardly know anyone out there apart from the chaps in the office. Martin, Joy THE IMAGE OF LAURA (2002)Some of the chaps out there, the subalterns, were at Eton in my house for the little time I lasted. Gaskin, Catherine THE AMBASSADOR'S WOMEN (2002)

"Remember your chaps, all fifty of them, understand they are conducting a critical mission on behalf of Mother Russia. Patrick Robinson NIMITZ CLASS (2002)

Trends of 'chaps'

Used Occasionally. chaps is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'chaps'

Related Terms of 'chaps'

Source

Definition of chaps from the Collins English Dictionary

Compound nouns

A compound noun is a noun that is formed from two or more words. The meaning of the whole compound is often different from the meaning of the two words on their own. Compound nouns are very common. T...