chump change

noun

: a relatively small or insignificant amount of money

Examples of chump change in a Sentence

what seems like a huge amount of money to most people is only chump change to a billionaire
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That’s chump change for a Tesla. Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 If the federal government were to assume the costs of IVF instead, the fiscal impact would be at least $80 billion over a ten-year budget window—hardly chump change in an era of inflation pressures and rising budget deficits. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 There’s a $100,000 guarantee the Nets will have to eat as a cap charge, but that’s chump change. John Hollinger, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 But that’s chump change, if such a thing can be said of seven-figure purses, compared to the $20-million Saudi Cup and $12-million Dubai World Cup. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for chump change

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chump change was in 1956

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Cite this Entry

“Chump change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chump%20change. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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