1. A close friend, esp. one who often acts as a companion
   "The politician was often seen with his longtime chum";
   - buddy [informal], crony [informal], pal [informal], compadre, bud [N. Amer, informal], cobber [Austral, informal], paisano [US]
    
2. Bait consisting of chopped fish and fish oils that are dumped overboard to attract fish
   "The fishermen spread chum in the water to lure sharks for their research"
    
3. A large Pacific salmon with small spots on its back; an important food fish
   "Chum salmon is often used for canned products";
   - chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta

1. Become friends; act friendly towards
   "The new colleagues quickly chummed up during the team-building retreat";
   - pal [informal], pal up [informal], chum up [informal]

Derived forms: chums, chummed, chumming

See also: sidekick [informal]

Type of: bait, befriend, china [Brit, informal], decoy, friend, lure, mate [Brit, informal], salmon

Part of: genus Oncorhynchus, Oncorhynchus

Encyclopedia: Chum