What does "chunk" mean?
A part of something that has been separated; a generally squat, thick, irregular piece of something, e.g. wood or stone.
Chunk
/t͡ʃʌŋk/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A part of something that has been separated; a generally squat, thick, irregular piece of something, e.g. wood or stone.
- Grammar: chunk is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: lump, accumulation, acervation, agglomerate.
- Useful contrasts: combine, consolidate, disperse.
- Usage evidence: I was hit by a huge chunk of meat.
How to use "chunk"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "chunk" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "chunk" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "chunk" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "chunk" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "chunk" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "lump" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "chunk", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A part of something that has been separated; a generally squat, thick, irregular piece of something, e.g. wood or stone.
"The statue broke into chunks."
- 2 Archaic form of chank (“type of spiral shell”). alt-of, archaic
- 3 a compact mass wordnet
- 4 A part of something that has been separated; a generally squat, thick, irregular piece of something, e.g. wood or stone.; A large or substantial portion of something.
"I'd be willing to bet a chunk of my retirement that the number hasn't decreased."
- 5 a substantial amount wordnet
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 A sequence of two or more words that occur in language with high frequency but are not idiomatic.
"In fact, some linguists suggest that 45 percent to 60 percent of what you produce in your L1 is functional chunks of language. These chunks of language also give you some sense of fluency."
- 7 A discrete segment of a file, stream, etc. (especially one that represents audiovisual media); a block.
"The first DWORD of a chunk data in the RIFF chunk is a four character code value identifying the form type of the file."
- 8 A segment of a comedian's performance.
"You begin gathering two hours of dependable comedy by developing that first three-minute chunk. When you're satisfied with it, you create another three minutes of laughs, then another three minutes."
Verb
- 1 To break into large pieces or chunks. transitive
- 2 group or chunk together in a certain order or place side by side wordnet
- 3 To break down (language, etc.) into conceptual pieces of manageable size. transitive
"These results offer tentative evidence that suggests that certain components of computer-mediated instruction (in this case, access to and control over syntactically chunked, captioned video) are not necessarily beneficial for certain learners […]"
- 4 put together indiscriminately wordnet
- 5 To throw. Southern-US, slang, transitive
"Calpurnia said it was hard on Helen, because she had to walk nearly a mile out of her way to availed the Ewells, who, according to Helen, “chunked at her” the first time she tried to use the public road."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Deal a substantial amount of damage to an opponent. transitive
"He's chunked right before the next battle so he has to regen HP."
- 7 To remove a chunk from. transitive
""Mind you keep very still," he said, "or I might chunk a bit out of you with the spade.""
Antonyms
Example
"I was hit by a huge chunk of meat."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "chunk"?
Common synonyms include: lump, accumulation, acervation, agglomerate, agglomeration, aggregate.
How do you use "chunk" in a sentence?
I was hit by a huge chunk of meat.
How do you pronounce "chunk"?
Pronounced /t͡ʃʌŋk/.
Etymology
Variant of chuck; or alternatively a diminutive of chump (“chunk; block”) + *-k (diminutive suffix) (compare hunk from hump, etc.). Also compare Dutch schonk.