# chug

> English word · Noun · IPA /t͡ʃʌɡ/ · frequency rank #31,915

## Definitions
1. A dull, fairly quick explosive or percussive sound, as if made by a labouring engine.
2. A large gulp of drink.
3. A homemade Cuban boat, built to carry emigrants to the USA, and often abandoned upon arrival.
4. A person of Native American descent.
5. A palm muted note on a distorted electric guitar.

## Etymology
Onomatopoeic, in imitation of a working steam engine. The racial slur sense derives from the stereotype of Native Americans chugging alcohol.

## Easily confused with
- **CU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cu)
- **cut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cut)
- **cup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cup)
- **cum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cum)
- **cuz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cuz)
- **cue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cue)
- **CPU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cpu)
- **Cub** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cub)
- **cog** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cog)
- **CSU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-csu)
- **cur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cur)
- **cig** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cig)
- **Cui** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cui)
- **cru** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cru)
- **club** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-club)
- **clue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-clue)
- **Cruz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cruz)
- **coup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-coup)
- **Chun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-chun)
- **Cong** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chug-vs-cong)

## Common misspellings (6)
`cchug`, `chgu`, `chhug`, `chugg`, `cuhg`, `hcug`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/chug