Chug Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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chug

[tʃʌɡ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

drink

To drink (a liquid) in large gulps.

Synonyms

down, gulp, quaff, swig.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
chug	Describing the sound or action of an engine or machine working steadily. The train chugged along the tracks
gulp	Describing the action of swallowing something quickly and often audibly, usually because of urgency or nervousness. He gulped down his drink before making a speech
swig	Informal context, usually referring to drinking a large amount of a beverage in one go, often alcohol. He took a swig from his flask during the hike
quaff	A more literary or formal term, used to describe drinking something, usually an alcoholic beverage, with enjoyment and gusto. They quaffed their wine at the festive celebration
down	Used widely in both informal and formal contexts to indicate the action of consuming something quickly, especially liquids or pills. She downed the glass of water in one gulp

Examples of usage

He chugged down his beer in one go.
She chugged her water bottle after the workout.
The train chugged along the tracks.
We chugged our way through the final stretch of the race.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

train

A train engine.

Synonyms

engine, locomotive, train engine.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
chug	Used to describe the sound or action of something moving slowly and steadily, often with a rhythmic noise. Commonly applied to the sound of an old engine or someone drinking a liquid quickly. The old car began to chug up the steep hill He chugged the bottle of water after the long run
train engine	A more specific term for the main engine of a train. It is synonymous with 'locomotive' but may be used in more everyday language. The train engine was an impressive sight as it roared down the tracks Maintenance of the train engine is essential for safe travel
locomotive	Specifically refers to the engine of a train, particularly the vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The locomotive pulled the long train across the countryside Locomotives have evolved significantly since the first steam engines
engine	Refers to the primary machine that converts different forms of energy into mechanical work, typically found in vehicles, machinery, or devices. The car has a powerful engine that makes it very fast The engineers worked on improving the engine's efficiency

Examples of usage

The chug of the train engine could be heard in the distance.
We boarded the old chug to take us through the countryside.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'chug'

The verb 'chug' originated in the early 19th century as an onomatopoeic word imitating the sound of an engine or the act of drinking in gulps. It was first used in reference to trains and later extended to describe the action of drinking quickly. The noun form 'chug' as a train engine also derived from this onomatopoeic origin. The word has since become a popular term in casual speech to describe both drinking and the sound of engines.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,170 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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34168 scalene
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34170 chug
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34172 iterating
34173 xerography
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