: a crack in or a sore roughening of the skin caused by exposure to wind or cold
chapped; chapping
: to open in cracks, slits, or chinks
also
: to become cracked, roughened, or reddened especially by the action of wind or cold
hands often chap in winter
: to cause to chap
wind-chapped lips
1
: the fleshy covering of a jaw
2
: the forepart of the face
—usually used in plural
1
chiefly British
: fellow sense 4c
Synonyms
Examples of chap in a Sentence
Noun (3)
a couple of chaps kindly gave us directions to Buckingham Palace
a cute little chap
Recent Examples on the Web
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Oct. 2024
Then Cher, in leather chaps, joined Dua, and the duo linked hands triumphantly, hitting the chorus of the 1998 comeback song.
—Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2024
This set of two oils is designed to combat chapped and dry lips, providing a nourishing solution for a perfect pout.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chap 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Noun
Cowboy jeans are finished with mycelium leather trims and chaps are also made with the biodegradable material.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Oct. 2024
Then Cher, in leather chaps, joined Dua, and the duo linked hands triumphantly, hitting the chorus of the 1998 comeback song.
—Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Some people experience extremely dry skin when gestating a human, and chapped lips can be a huge hassle.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2024
This set of two oils is designed to combat chapped and dry lips, providing a nourishing solution for a perfect pout.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chap
Dictionary Entries Near chap
Cite this Entry
“Chap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chap. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chap
1 of 3 noun
: a crack or a sore roughening of the skin from exposure especially to wind or cold
chap
2 of 3 verb
chapped; chapping
: to open in slits or cracks
also
: to become cracked, roughened, or reddened
chapped lips
chap
3 of 3 noun
chiefly British
Etymology
Noun
Middle English chappes "cracks in skin," from chappen "to crack"
Verb
Middle English chappen "to crack (of skin)"
Noun
shortened form of chapman "merchant," from Old English cēapman "merchant," from cēap "trade" and man "man" — related to cheap
Medical Definition
chap
1 of 2 verb
chapped; chapping
: to crack or open in slits
the hands and lips often chap in winter
: to cause to open in slits or cracks
chapped lips
chap
2 of 2 noun
: a crack in or a sore roughening of the skin caused by exposure to wind or cold
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share