chow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chow" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal.
It can be used as a casual way to refer to food or a meal, often in a playful or lighthearted context. Example: "After a long day at work, I can't wait to get home and chow down on some pizza."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

But then we would have looked bad, frightened: then he'd might ask if we didn't just want some spring rolls and chow mein, and for the right price he could walk over to that lovely Irish restaurant just down the street with the red sign and golden arches and fetch something that might be more to our taste.

The Economist

Hardly Prairie populism v suburban realism Just another piece of furniture Leaving Condit country Subsidised cow chow Of bison men A very big shoe to fill Reprints Related items The California primary: Nothing but gravel in their panMar 7th 2002 Congressional redistricting: Condit gets the fingerSep 6th 2001.

The Economist

Hardly Prairie populism v suburban realism Just another piece of furniture Leaving Condit country Subsidised cow chow Of bison men A very big shoe to fill Reprints Related items Western land management: Subsidised cow chowMar 7th 2002Bison producers are now getting a further boost from the biggest buffalo rancher of all: Ted Turner.

The Economist

Hardly Prairie populism v suburban realism Just another piece of furniture Leaving Condit country Subsidised cow chow Of bison men A very big shoe to fill ReprintsMr Coleman, who grew up in Brooklyn, began his political career as a Democrat.

The Economist

Hardly Prairie populism v suburban realism Just another piece of furniture Leaving Condit country Subsidised cow chow Of bison men A very big shoe to fill Reprints Related items Leaving Condit countryMar 7th 2002The Republicans' trouble in California is their social conservatism, on issues such as abortion and the environment.

The Economist

The most successful of them all is Frank Jao, the head of Bridgecreek Development, who receives rents from half the local businesses and is known as "chow fou", Chinese for "godfather".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Chow Yun-Fat (Zhou Runfa) became one of Hong Kong's most popular actors by playing a character unique to Woo's work a chivalrous mythic hero suited to a Chang Cheh film but exuding the 20th-century cool of Humphrey Bogart.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Actor Chow Yun-Fat, usually encountered instigating violence, successfully changed gears to play the philosopher Confucius in Hu Mei's handsome biopic Kongzi (Confucius).

Encyclopedia Britannica

"You don't start lobbying them the first time you meet them, or you'd just run into a brick wall," says Brenda Chow, of British American Tobacco, who was born in the Chinese province of Guangdong.

The Economist

Many of Asia's capital flows are still channelled through global investment banks with headquarters in New York or London.Wait for itTo Paul Chow of the Hong Kong exchange, Asia's multiple and varied financial centres reflect not only the region's vast geography but also its different economic realities.

The Economist

It was she who introduced them to Edward Chow, the dominant Chinese collector-dealer of the post-war years who was based in Hong Kong and later in Switzerland.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chow" when aiming for an informal, casual tone, particularly when discussing food in a lighthearted or familiar context. It's great for use among friends or in less formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "chow" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more appropriate terms like "meal", "food", or "cuisine" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "chow" is as a noun referring to food, especially in an informal context. It can also function as a verb, meaning to eat. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chow" is an informal term primarily used as a noun to refer to food or as a verb meaning to eat. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability in casual contexts, though it's best to avoid it in formal settings. Predominantly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific sources, "chow" serves as a casual way to describe food. For formal communications, alternatives like "food", "meal", or "cuisine" are more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grub

Similar informal term for food.

food

Replaces the informal term with a general term for sustenance.

eats

Casual term referring to food or dishes.

meal

Replaces "chow" with a more formal term for a specific instance of eating.

cuisine

Replaces the casual term with a broader reference to a style of cooking.

victuals

A more old-fashioned term for food.

refreshments

Focuses on the aspect of being replenished by food.

provisions

Implies a stock or supply of food.

nourishment

Emphasizes the nutritional aspect of food.

sustenance

Highlights food as a means of maintaining life and energy.

FAQs

What does "chow" mean?

"Chow" is an informal term for food. It can also refer to a breed of dog (Chow Chow) or a Chinese surname.

How can I use "chow" in a sentence?

You might say, "Let's grab some "grub"" or "The soldiers were eager for some hot "food"".

What can I say instead of "chow"?

You can use alternatives like ""food"", "meal", or ""grub"" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "chow" in formal writing?

No, "chow" is generally considered informal. Use more formal terms like ""food"" or "cuisine" in professional or academic contexts.