chug

1
[ chuhg ]
See synonyms for: chugchuggedchugging on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a short, dull, explosive sound: the steady chug of an engine.

verb (used without object),chugged, chug·ging.
  1. to make this sound: The motor chugged.

  2. to move while making this sound: The train chugged along.

Origin of chug

1
An Americanism dating back to1865–70; imitative

Other words from chug

  • chugger, noun

Other definitions for chug (2 of 2)

chug2
[ chuhg ]

verb (used with or without object),chugged, chug·ging.
  1. Also chug-a-lug . to swallow (a drink) in large gulps or without interruption: He noisily chugged the entire bottle of water, then slammed it onto the table.She was just sitting on the bench, chugging away on a bottle of soda.

noun
  1. a large gulp or swallow: He finished his beer in two chugs.

Origin of chug

2
First recorded in 1955–60, as chug down; of imitative origin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use chug in a sentence

  • This car that came chugging down the hill to the entrance of Dare Hall was a very fine touring automobile.

    Ruth Fielding At College | Alice B. Emerson
  • Hardly had the little party seated themselves on the porch when the chugging of an automobile came to their ears.

  • And even as he spoke they heard the chugging of a motor and a farm truck came nosing through the fog.

    The Flying Reporter | Lewis E. (Lewis Edwin) Theiss
  • The little captain started his motor with a jerk, and its comfortable chugging was at once changed to an angry snort.

    Glory of Youth | Temple Bailey
  • He was waiting for it, well out of sight, as it came chugging up to the wharf some hours later.

    Gone Fishing | James H. Schmitz

British Dictionary definitions for chug

chug

/ (tʃʌɡ) /


noun
  1. a short dull sound, esp one that is rapidly repeated, such as that made by an engine

verbchugs, chugging or chugged
  1. (intr) (of an engine, etc) to operate while making such sounds

Origin of chug

1
C19: of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012