What does chowing mean?
'Chowing' is the present participle of 'chow', an informal verb meaning to eat, typically with gusto and without ceremony. It appears most often in the fixed phrase 'chowing down', which paints a vivid picture of someone tucking into food eagerly — think burgers at a cookout or pizza after a long hike. The word carries a casual, convivial connotation; nobody 'chows' at a formal dinner. It originated in mid-nineteenth-century American English from pidgin English 'chow', borrowed from Chinese dialect words for food, which also gave us 'chow mein'. Because of its slang register, 'chowing' suits conversation, sports writing, and light journalism rather than formal prose. It is easily confused with 'cowing', which means intimidating someone, though the two share no connection beyond sound.
verbPresent participle and gerund of the informal verb 'chow', meaning to eat food, especially heartily or quickly.
- To eat food, especially enthusiastically or in large quantities (informal).
"The kids were chowing down on pizza when we walked in."
"We spent the afternoon chowing on barbecue at the festival."
"He was still chowing down when everyone else had finished."
Before it meant eating, 'chow' crossed the Pacific as Chinese pidgin for food — so every time you chow down, you're speaking a little Cantonese.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chowing
The verb 'chow' derives from the noun 'chow', meaning food, which entered American English in the mid-nineteenth century, likely via Chinese pidgin English used by sailors and merchants trading with China. The underlying source is Chinese dialect words such as Cantonese 'chaau' or related terms for food or stir-frying, cognates of which also produced 'chow mein' (stirred noodles) and possibly 'chop suey'. The form 'chowing' is simply the standard present participle of this borrowed verb, attested from the late nineteenth century onward.
Related word forms
How chowing is actually used
Strictly informal and colloquial; avoid in formal writing. Almost always used with the particle 'down' ('chowing down'), which emphasizes hearty, enthusiastic eating.
Easily confused with chowing
'Chow' is both a noun meaning food or a breed of dog and the base verb, while 'chowing' is its present-participle form describing the act of eating.
'Cowing' means intimidating or frightening someone into submission, whereas 'chowing' refers only to eating.