chaps

UK: /tʃæps/, /ʃæps/ US: /tʃæps, ʃæps/ ,(chaps, shaps)

From the verb chap: (⇒ conjugate)

chaps is: ⓘ

v 3rd person singular

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

chaps /tʃæps, ʃæps/   n. [plural]

1. Clothing sturdy leather leggings like wide-legged trousers, worn over work pants, typically by cowboys.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

chaps  (chaps, shaps), n. (used with a pl. v.)

1. Clothing a pair of joined leather leggings, often widely flared, worn over trousers, esp. by cowboys, as protection against burs, rope burns, etc., while on horseback. Also called chaparajos, chaparejos. 

• short for chaparajos 1810–20, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

chaps / tʃæps ʃæps/ noun:plural

1. leather overalls without a seat, worn by cowboys
   Also called: chaparejos, chaparajos

Etymology: 19th Century: shortened from chaparejos

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

chap¹ /tʃæp/   v., chapped, chap•ping. 

1. Pathology to (cause to) become cracked, roughened, and reddened: [~ + object]
   The wind chapped her face and lips.
   [no object]
   Her lips chapped in the cold.

chapped, adj.: 

Heal those dry, chapped lips with this special cream.

chap² /tʃæp/   n. [countable]

1. Informal Terms Chiefly Brit. fellow;
   guy:
   I like that chap, don't you?

chap. or Chap., an abbreviation of:

1. chapter.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

chap¹  (chap), v., chapped, chap•ping, n. 
v.t.  

1. to crack, roughen, and redden (the skin):
   The windy, cold weather chapped her lips.
2. to cause (the ground, wood, etc.) to split, crack, or open in clefts:
   The summer heat and drought chapped the riverbank.

v.i.  

3. to become chapped.

n.  

4. a fissure or crack, esp. in the skin.
5. [Scot.] a knock;
   rap.

• 1275–1325; Middle English chappen; cognate with Dutch kappen to cut; akin to chip¹

chap²  (chap), n. 

1. Informal Terms a fellow;
   man or boy.
2. Dialect Terms [Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.] a baby or young child.
3. British Terms a customer.

• short for chapman 1570–80

chap³  (chop, chap), n. 

1. chop³.

• 1325–75; Middle English; perh. special use of chap¹

chap., 

1. Chaplain.
2. chapter.
Also, Chap. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

chap / tʃæp/ verb (chaps, chapping, chapped)

1. (of the skin) to make or become raw and cracked, esp by exposure to cold
2. (of a clock) to strike (the hour)
3. to knock (at a door, window, etc)

noun

1. (usually plural) a cracked or sore patch on the skin caused by chapping
2. a knock

Etymology: 14th Century: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch, German kappen to chop off

chap / tʃæp/, chappy / ˈtʃæpɪ/ noun (chaps, chappies)

1. a man or boy; fellow

Etymology: 16th Century (in the sense: buyer): shortened from chapman

chap / tʃɒp tʃæp/ noun

1. a less common word for chop3