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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Chunk: Definition, Usage & Key Differences (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：a thick piece (chunk)

chunk 🔊

/tʃʌŋk/

a solid, thick piece of something you can see and hold, like food or materials.

Chunk definition illustrated by a chef cutting a thick block of cheese

a thick piece 🔊

➕

/ə θɪk piːs/

A solid, substantial, and often irregularly shaped piece of a material or object that you can physically hold or see.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Primary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Possibly an alteration of 'chuck' (to cut or strike) or 'chump' (a short, thick piece).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a **CHUNK** of **CHUNK**y chocolate. The word itself sounds heavy and solid.

📖 Example

I accidentally cut off a chunk of the carrot instead of just a slice for the salad. 🔊 While preparing the salad, I mistakenly removed a thick piece of the carrot rather than a thin slice.

🔗 Collocations

a chunk of cheese – a thick, solid piece of cheese

break into chunks – to divide something into large, irregular pieces

ice chunk – a large, solid piece of ice

🔄 Synonyms

piece (n.) – A part separated from the whole, generally smaller or less specific in size than a chunk.

block (n.) – A solid piece with flat sides, often more regular in shape than a chunk.

hunk (n.) – A large, thick piece, very similar to chunk, often used informally.

🚫 Antonyms

slice (n.) – A thin, flat piece cut from something larger.

fragment (n.) – A small part broken off from something, often implying it is tiny or shattered.

🌱 Derivatives

chunky (adj.) – Having a thick, solid shape or containing thick pieces.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'chunk' likely originated in the 17th century. Its exact etymology is uncertain, but it may be a variant of 'chuck' or influenced by 'chump'. In modern computing and data processing, 'chunking' is a key technique for managing and transmitting large datasets by breaking them into smaller, manageable pieces.

Meaning 2：a large portion (chunk)

chunk 🔊

/tʃʌŋk/

a large portion or a big part of something abstract, like time or money.

Chunk of time concept shown with marked days on a desk calendar

a large portion 🔊

➕

/ə lɑːrdʒ ˈpɔːrʃən/

A significant or considerable part of something abstract, such as time, money, or resources.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

She spent a huge chunk of her weekend finishing the science project. 🔊 She dedicated a very large portion of her weekend time to completing the science project.

🔗 Collocations

a chunk of time – a significant and continuous period of time

a chunk of change – a large amount of money (informal)

a good chunk – a fairly large or respectable portion

🔄 Synonyms

portion (n.) – A part or share of a whole, can be any size.

segment (n.) – A part that is naturally separate or distinguished from the whole, often one of several.

lot (n.) – A large amount or number, often used informally.

🚫 Antonyms

bit (n.) – A very small amount or piece of something.

moment (n.) – A very brief period of time.

🌱 Derivatives

chunking (n.) – The process of breaking something, especially information, into manageable parts.