2 N‑COUNT A chime is a ringing sound made by a bell, especially when it is part of a clock. □ [+ of ] The ceremony started as the chimes of midnight struck.
3 N‑PLURAL Chimes are a set of small objects which make a ringing sound when they are blown by the wind. □ …the haunting sound of the wind chimes.
▸ chime in PHRASAL VERB If you chime in , you say something just after someone else has spoken. □ [V P with quote] 'Why?' Pete asked impatiently.—'Yes, why?' Bob chimed in. 'It seems like a good idea to me.' □ [V P + with ] At this, some of the others chime in with memories of prewar deprivations. [Also V P ]
▸ chime in with or chime with PHRASAL VERB If one thing chimes in with another thing or chimes with it, the two things are similar or consistent with each other. □ [V P P n] He has managed to find a response to each new political development that chimes in with most Germans' instinct. □ [V P n] The president's remarks do not entirely chime with those coming from American and British politicians.
chi|mera /ka I m I ə rə/ (chimeras )
1 N‑COUNT A chimera is an unrealistic idea that you have about something or a hope that you have that is unlikely to be fulfilled. [FORMAL ] □ Religious unity remained as much a chimera as ever.
2 N‑COUNT In Greek mythology, a chimera is a creature with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a snake.
chim|ney /tʃ I mni/ (chimneys ) N‑COUNT A chimney is a pipe through which smoke goes up into the air, usually through the roof of a building. □ This gas fire doesn't need a chimney.
chi m|ney breast (chimney breasts ) also chimney-breast N‑COUNT A chimney breast is the part of a wall in a room which is built out round a chimney. [BRIT ]
chimney|piece /tʃ I mnipiːs/ (chimneypieces ) also chimney-piece N‑COUNT A chimneypiece is the same as a mantelpiece . [BRIT ]
chi m|ney pot (chimney pots ) also chimney-pot N‑COUNT A chimney pot is a short pipe which is fixed on top of a chimney.
chi m|ney stack (chimney stacks ) also chimney-stack N‑COUNT A chimney stack is the brick or stone part of a chimney that is above the roof of a building. [BRIT ]
chi m|ney sweep (chimney sweeps ) also chimney-sweep N‑COUNT A chimney sweep is a person whose job is to clean the soot out of chimneys.
chimp /tʃ I mp/ (chimps ) N‑COUNT A chimp is the same as a chimpanzee . [INFORMAL ]
chim|pan|zee /tʃ I mpænziː / (chimpanzees ) N‑COUNT A chimpanzee is a kind of small African ape.
chin /tʃ I n/ (chins ) N‑COUNT Your chin is the part of your face that is below your mouth and above your neck. □ …a double chin. □ He rubbed the gray stubble on his chin.
chi|na /tʃa I nə/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] China is a hard white substance made from clay. It is used to make things such as cups, bowls, plates, and ornaments. □ …a small boat made of china. □ …china cups.
2 → see also bone china
3 N‑UNCOUNT Cups, bowls, plates, and ornaments made of china are referred to as china . □ Judy collects blue and white china.
Chi |na tea N‑UNCOUNT China tea is tea made from large dark-green or reddish-brown tea leaves. It is usually drunk without milk or sugar.
China|town /tʃa I nətaʊn/ N‑UNCOUNT Chinatown is the name given to the area in a city where there are many Chinese shops and restaurants, and which is a social centre for the Chinese community in the city.
Chi|nese /tʃa I niː z/ (Chinese )
1 ADJ Chinese means relating to or belonging to China, or its people, languages, or culture.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The Chinese are the people who come from China.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The languages that are spoken in China, especially Mandarin, are often referred to as Chinese .
chink /tʃ I ŋk/ (chinks )
1 N‑COUNT A chink in a surface is a very narrow crack or opening in it. □ [+ in ] …a chink in the wall. □ [+ in ] He peered through a chink in the curtains.
2 N‑COUNT A chink of light is a small patch of light that shines through a small opening in something. □ [+ of ] I noticed a chink of light at the end of the corridor.
chi|nos /tʃiː noʊz/ N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Chinos are casual, loose trousers made from cotton.
chintz /tʃ I nts/ (chintzes ) N‑VAR Chintz is a cotton fabric decorated with flowery patterns. □ …chintz curtains.
chintzy /tʃ I ntsi/
1 ADJ Something that is chintzy is decorated or covered with chintz. [BRIT ] □ …chintzy armchairs.
2 ADJ If you describe something as chintzy , you mean that it is showy and looks cheap. [mainly AM , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a chintzy table lamp.
3 ADJ You can describe someone as chintzy if they are mean and seem to spend very little money compared with other people. [AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …disadvantages such as depending on chintzy and humiliating public dole for income.
chip ◆◇◇ /tʃ I p/ (chips , chipping , chipped )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Chips are long, thin pieces of potato fried in oil or fat and eaten hot, usually with a meal. [BRIT ] □ I had fish and chips in a cafe. in AM, use French fries 2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Chips or potato chips are very thin slices of fried potato that are eaten cold as a snack. [AM ] □ …a package of onion-flavored potato chips. in BRIT, use crisps 3 N‑COUNT A silicon chip is a very small piece of silicon with electronic circuits on it which is part of a computer or other piece of machinery.