chummy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "chummy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or relationship that is friendly, familiar, and close. For example, "After we worked together for so long, we became very chummy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His father meanwhile had enraged much of the unionist grassroots, already unsettled over the new power-sharing Stormont regime, with his chummy relationship with former IRA commander and Sinn Féin MP Martin McGuinness.

The Guardian

His chummy relationship with Bernie Ebbers, his boss at WorldCom, was dubbed "the Scott 'n' Bernie show" by Wall Street.

The Economist

Mr Kuchma's other main move this week was a chummy chat with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

The Economist

Punning on the Hollywood star's famous catch-phrase, Mr Benioff says that the marketing slogan will be "Hasta la vista, software".Joining forcesBut behind this chummy iconoclasm, Mr Benioff's new web-services venture, called sforce.com, indicates a deadly seriousness about reinventing the software industry.

The Economist

Everyone wants the police to be more chummy with respectable citizens; yet it is the poor and feckless who have the best insights into crime.

The Economist

Auditors are fighting back with "client continuance" assessments: many are ditching problematic clients.The CFO-auditor relationship is unlikely ever to return to its chummy past (a good thing perhaps).

The Economist

These incumbents tend to be chummy with the government and get cheap land and loans.

The Economist

The problem is that EU leaders, who nowadays hold summits almost every month, are often too chummy to be ready to criticise each other.

The Economist

Several leading Greek Socialists have long been chummy with Mr Ocalan, on the principle that your enemy's enemy is your friend.

The Economist

Could it be that this fight will end in the traditional European way, through a chummy arrangement arrived at in a smoke-filled room?

The Economist

But relations between Israel and Turkey are not so chummy, either.Israel's sea borders with Lebanon are disputed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chummy" to describe relationships that are warm and informal, especially between people who might not be expected to be so friendly (e.g., political opponents).

Common error

Avoid using "chummy" too frequently in formal writing. While acceptable, overuse can make your tone sound inappropriately casual or even sarcastic.

Linguistic Context

The word "chummy" functions primarily as an adjective, describing the nature of a relationship or interaction. Ludwig indicates that it denotes friendliness or intimacy. Examples show it often describes unexpected or perhaps inappropriately close relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chummy" is an adjective primarily used to describe a friendly or intimate relationship, often in contexts where such friendliness is unexpected or noteworthy. As Ludwig points out, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media. While versatile, it leans towards neutral in tone, and more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "friendly" or "cordial". When writing, be mindful of the potential for "chummy" to imply sarcasm or inappropriate familiarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

friendly

A general term for being amiable and kind, less intimate than "chummy".

matey

British term for friendly and sociable, similar in tone to "chummy".

close

Indicates a strong bond or connection, often implying intimacy and trust.

buddy-buddy

Informal term suggesting a close, perhaps overly friendly, relationship.

amiable

Similar to friendly, but suggests a more pleasant and agreeable disposition.

palsy-walsy

Similar to buddy-buddy, but often carries a negative connotation of insincerity.

familiar

Implies a relaxed and informal relationship, sometimes to the point of disrespect.

affable

Similar to friendly but implies ease and grace in social interactions.

intimate

Suggests a very personal and private relationship, stronger than "chummy".

clubby

Suggests an exclusive and convivial atmosphere, like that of a private club.

FAQs

How can I use "chummy" in a sentence?

"Chummy" is typically used to describe a friendly or intimate relationship, as in, "The politicians were surprisingly chummy during the debate."

What are some synonyms for "chummy"?

Alternatives to "chummy" include "friendly", "close", or "familiar", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "chummy" isn't strictly inappropriate for formal writing, it can sound informal or even sarcastic. Consider using a more neutral term like "friendly" or "cordial" instead.

What's the difference between "chummy" and "clubby"?

"Chummy" generally describes a friendly relationship between individuals. "Clubby", on the other hand, suggests an exclusive and convivial atmosphere within a group or organization.