British English Slang – Chav.
Meaning (noun) – A young person who behaves loudly and badly, typically wearing sportswear and gold chains. It is often offensive, so use it carefully.
It’s one of British English’s most recognisable — and most debated — slang words. Here’s what it means, where it comes from, and why it’s worth using carefully.
What Does “Chav” Mean?
A chav is British English slang for a young person who behaves like a lout and is a bit of a troublemaker — typically someone who wears athletic clothes and gold chains, listens to rap or dance music, and likes to drink cheap alcohol. Chavs are often seen as causing trouble and uninterested in education.
A female chav can also be known as a chavette.
Other Words for the Same Idea
English has several other words for young people who cause trouble:
- Hooligan
- Lout
- Ruffian
- Scally
- Scallywag
- Yob
Where Does “Chav” Come From?
The most likely origin is Romani — either from chavo (an unmarried Romani male or male child) or chavvy (a baby or child), an Anglo-Romani word with roots in Sanskrit. You’ll sometimes see a popular claim that “chav” is an acronym for “Council House and Violent” — but that’s a backronym, a fake explanation invented after the word was already in use, not the real origin. You can read more in this detailed history of the word “chav”.
A Word to Use With Caution
“Chav” obviously has negative connotations, so use it with caution. Some people feel the word is used to generalise working-class or poor people in an unfair way — it’s a genuinely controversial term in Britain. The BBC has covered this in depth: Why is ‘chav’ still controversial?
Example
“I called the police last night because I saw a bunch of chavs hanging around my new bimmer!”
More Slang
What is slang?
Slang is very informal language. It’s usually spoken rather than written, and is often used by a particular group of people or in a particular place. Slang changes over time, and using it well is a great way to sound more natural when speaking English.
Frequently Asked Questions
A chav is British slang for a young person — usually associated with wearing athletic clothing and gold chains, listening to rap or dance music, and causing trouble. A female chav is sometimes called a chavette.
No — despite the popular myth that it stands for “Council House and Violent,” that’s a backronym: a fake explanation invented after the word was already in use. It most likely comes from a Romani word for “child.”
Use it with care. It’s genuinely common British slang worth recognising, but it can come across as classist, since some people feel it’s used to unfairly generalise working-class people.
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