One syllable: chips.
chips
/tʃɪps/
chips is pronounced chips (/tʃɪps/). It has one syllable (chips), with the stress on "chips". Chips is a plural noun (or verb form in phrases) referring to small, thin pieces of food fried until crisp, or, in some dialects, to computer microchips. In everyday use, it most often denotes fried potato slices in British English and similar snacks, while in American English it typically means the same as 'French fries' in many regions, though context can differentiate. The word centers on the /tʃ/ onset followed by /ɪ/ and a final /ps/ or /s/ cluster, with plural morphology.
Chips is a plural noun (or verb form in phrases) referring to small, thin pieces of food fried until crisp, or, in some dialects, to computer microchips. In everyday use, it most often denotes fried potato slices in British English and similar snacks, while in American English it typically means the same as 'French fries' in many regions, though context can differentiate. The word centers on the /tʃ/ onset followed by /ɪ/ and a final /ps/ or /s/ cluster, with plural morphology.
"I bought a bag of salt-and-vinegar chips for the party."
"In the UK, you’ll typically hear 'crisps' for the snack and 'chips' for fries."
"I popped the chips into the oven to crisp them up again."
Pronounce /tʃɪps/. The initial /tʃ/ is a voiceless palato-alveolar affricate, like the 'ch' in chair. The vowel is a short lax /ɪ/ as in 'bit'. End with /ps/, a voiceless cluster where /p/ is a bilabial plosive followed immediately by /s/; keep the two sounds tightly connected but naturally released. Stress is on the single syllable, since 'chips' is a monosyllable. IPA guide: /tʃɪps/. Audio resources: you can confirm on Forvo or Cambridge dictionary.
Common errors: mispronouncing the initial /tʃ/ as a simple /t/ or /ʃ/; misproducing the final /ps/ as a hard /p/ or separating /p/ and /s/ with extra space. Correction: keep the affricate /tʃ/ together, with a quick breath release into the /ɪ/ vowel, then glide into the /ps/ cluster by pressing lips for /p/ and immediately releasing into /s/. Practice by saying 'chips' slowly as /tɕɪps/ (approximating) and then apply to natural speed.
In US English, 'chips' is /tʃɪps/, with a non-rhotic or rhotic? Typically rhotic, but the /r/ is not involved here. In UK English, same /tʃɪps/ but vowel quality can be slightly shorter and less centralized; some regional variants may have a shorter /ɪ/ or stronger /p/ release. Australian English remains /tʃɪps/ with slight lengthening in some dialects and less pronounced vowel reduction. Overall, the primary difference is vowel duration and the flapping is not present here; the ending cluster /ps/ is consistently realized.
The challenge lies in the final consonant cluster /ps/. Many learners assimilate it to /p/ or /s/ only, producing either 'chip' or 'chips' with trailing hiss. The /tʃ/ onset also requires bringing the tongue to a pushoff position quickly: front tongue blade near the alveolar ridge, lips rounded slightly to release the affricate. Rapid pronunciation can blur /p/ and /s/; practice solid closure on /p/ followed by an immediate /s/ release, and ensure the mouth stays in a compact position for the single-syllable word.
A unique aspect is the tight, rapid transition from the/p/ to the/s/ without a vowel between them in this single syllable. The tip of the tongue should briefly touch the alveolar ridge for the /tʃ/ start, then roll into a crisp /p/ closure, followed by the /s/ hiss. This requires precise timing and minimal syllable separation, something you can train with slow-to-fast speed drills and minimal-pair practice with words like 'chips' vs 'chimps' to feel the difference.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "chips"!
The word chips originates from the verb to chop into bits. Its earliest senses in English described broken pieces of food or small morsels. The modern meaning relating to fried potato slices emerged in early 19th-century Britain and spread to other English-speaking regions. 'Chips' as computer microcircuits emerged in mid-20th-century technical jargon; the term likely analogizes the small, square silicon pieces to fried potato chips in value and function. In American usage, 'chips' can mean potato chips or computer chips, depending on context, while in British English, 'chips' means fried potato strips, and 'crisps' denotes the thinner snack. First known use as a simple plural of chip appears in 18th–19th century dictionaries and corpora, then extended to computing terminology and snacks through metaphorical extension and industry adoption.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "chips" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "chips" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "chips" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "chips"
-ips sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
