Phrase guide

chump change

noun · 3 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

noun

Meaning 1

An amount of remuneration, reward, or other monetary recompense considered to be insultingly small.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • If you sell one of those cars, your commission will be chump change.
  • I don't work for chump change. I quit!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A sum of money considered to be insignificant.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: petty cash, pocket money, walk-around money, walking-around money; small change, pocket change, loose change, spare change; pittance
  • He spent $300,000 for his new car, but that's chump change for a billionaire like him.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: petty cash, pocket money, walk-around money, walking-around money, small change, pocket change, loose change, spare change, pittance

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a trifling sum of money

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: small change, chickenfeed

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cash, hard cash, hard currency

History

Etymology

From the idea that only chumps would fall for it. The neutral sense is an extension from the sense concerning indignation.