🧊 A thick piece 🪓 To break apart 💾 A data block 🗂️ To group items

to chunk

3 3.2

To break something into smaller parts

verb
/tʃʌŋk/

: trocear

Such scaffolding is a good metaphor for this best practice for UDL: chunk up content into brief segments, ideally 5 minutes long or shorter.

So and you just start chunking the problem down like that.

Examples

He used a knife to chunk the vegetables for the stir-fry.
We're going to get the skin off there, just chunk it out raw.
So and you just start chunking the problem down like that.

Tom Bilyeu
They come and just chunk out stuff and they like some plants more than others.
The paring knife went deep and chunked out a piece of the core.

Fiction book (1996)
They could chunk information into meaningful patterns and recall those patterns for later use.

Blog text (19)
I chunked the fire and lay on the cot till three-thirty, when I left for a look at the road break.

Fiction book (1997)
The chef will chunk the meat into smaller pieces before marinating it.
To make the recipe easier, chunk the chocolate into squares before melting.

Synonyms

to divide

vsto chunk

494 1.1

To split something into parts or groups

focuses on breaking items into smaller pieces rather than grouping or organizing

to split

vsto chunk

452 1.3

To break something into two or more parts

focuses on breaking things into smaller pieces rather than clean division

to slice

vsto chunk

236 1.0

To cut something into thin flat pieces with a knife

means making smaller parts of any sort rather than only thin flat pieces

to break down

vsto chunk

206 2.8

To separate something into smaller parts to explain or study it

means making smaller pieces physically rather than specifically for analysis

to break up

vsto chunk

162 2.7

Separate something into smaller pieces

emphasizes breaking items into smaller pieces rather than general separation

to shatter

vsto chunk

145 2.8

To break suddenly into many small pieces, like glass

can be slower or deliberate and does not require sudden violent impact

to split up

vsto chunk

125 2.6

To divide something into smaller parts

focuses on breaking things into smaller pieces rather than whole division

to tear up

vsto chunk

124 2.7

To rip something into small pieces

is more general and can involve tools or methods beyond pulling by hand

to cut into

vsto chunk

100 2.3

To make something into smaller pieces using a knife or tool

describes making smaller parts without naming a specific tool or method

to cut up

vsto chunk

97 1.1

Make something into smaller pieces using scissors or a knife

refers to making smaller parts by any method rather than a single technique

to chop up

vsto chunk

66 1.9

To cut something into smaller pieces by sharp blows again and again with a knife or axe

means making smaller parts in any way, not only by striking

to rip up

vsto chunk

48 2.8

To tear something into small pieces

is more neutral and covers many methods beyond tearing into shreds

to carve up

vsto chunk

23 5.8

To divide something into parts to share between people

focuses on breaking into smaller pieces rather than dividing for distribution

to slice up

vsto chunk

23 1.5

To cut something into thin slices

refers to making smaller pieces of any shape rather than only thin cuts

to splinter

vsto chunk

20 3.9

To break into many small, sharp pieces like wood or glass

is not limited to sharp slivers and can mean larger softer parts

to fragment

vsto chunk

18 3.7

To break into small pieces or make something break apart

is broader and can mean dividing into larger or smaller parts without tiny detail

to segment

vsto chunk

10 3.5

To divide something into separate parts

applies to breaking into smaller pieces rather than creating distinct bounded parts

to partition

vsto chunk

10 4.0

To divide something into parts

is about making smaller pieces rather than creating fixed internal divisions

to cut to pieces

vsto chunk

9 5.4

Break something into many small parts or hurt someone very badly

is milder and can mean simply making smaller parts without destruction

to subdivide

vsto chunk

8 4.2

To split something into smaller parts

stresses simple breaking into smaller pieces rather than repeated finer division

to section

vsto chunk

4 3.3

To divide something into separate parts

focuses on making smaller pieces rather than marking stable parts

to whack up

vsto chunk

2 8.3

To divide something into parts, for example by cutting it or by sharing it among people

is a neutral term and does not imply rough violent hitting or damage

to dissever

vsto chunk

Formal

1 9.9

To cut or separate something into parts, often by breaking it

is more general, meaning any breaking into smaller pieces, not only forced separation

to fragmentize

vsto chunk

1 8.2

To break something into many small pieces

is more general, meaning making smaller parts without stressing fragment formation

to morcellate

vsto chunk

1 9.9

Cut something into small pieces to make it easier to remove

does not require a handling purpose and simply means making smaller parts

to subsegment

vsto chunk

5.8

To divide something into smaller parts

is about breaking into smaller pieces rather than finer segmentation

to discerp

vsto chunk

Archaic

9.9

To tear something into separate parts, usually by force

is neutral about force and covers any way of making smaller pieces

to collop

vsto chunk

Archaic

9.9

To cut meat or other food into thin slices

applies generally to any material, not only food or thin portions

Antonyms

to combine

369 2.7

To mix two or more things into one

to unify

55 3.7

To bring people or things together into one group

How Divided

to shatter

145 2.8

to fragment

18 3.7

to chunk

3 3.2

to divide

494 1.1

to separate

372 1.9

Surface Forms

chunk infinitive

chunked past

chunked past participle

chunking present participle

chunks third person singular

Etymology

Chunk can also mean to break something into 'pieces'; from the same idea of a 'thick lump', to chunk something is to divide it into smaller parts so it is easier to use or remember.