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Definition of chowder

chowder

/ˈtʃaʊdər/
chow · der
Plural:chowders
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chowder Lexical Profile

chowder Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A rich, thick soup or stew typically containing seafood (such as clams or fish), potatoes, onions, and either a milk, cream, or tomato base.

Example

"We warmed up after the brisk boat ride with a hearty bowl of New England clam chowder."

2

North American A thick soup made with corn, potatoes, and other vegetables, often prepared without seafood.

Example

"The chef prepared a vegetarian sweet corn chowder garnished with fresh chives."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for chowder

• Rhymes for chowder

• Nearby Words

chow
chow mein
chowchilla
chowder
chowtime
choy sum
chris

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the French word 'chaudière', meaning 'cauldron' or 'pot', referring to the vessel in which Breton fishermen traditionally cooked their stews before bringing the custom to North America.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Chowder. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 7, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/chowder
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