Phrase guide

chip away

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To reduce or weaken bit by bit; often used with at.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

remove or withdraw gradually:

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • These new customs are chipping away at the quality of life

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: chip away at

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: remove, take, take away, withdraw

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: ébrécher — to reduce or weaken bit by bit
  • French: réduire petit à petit — to reduce or weaken bit by bit
  • Hungarian: farigcsál — to reduce or weaken bit by bit
  • Hungarian: kikezd — to reduce or weaken bit by bit
  • Marathi: कातणे (kātṇe) — to reduce or weaken bit by bit
  • Romanian: ciopli — to reduce or weaken bit by bit
  • Spanish: mellarse — to reduce or weaken bit by bit