Chip vs. Crisp — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
Chips are thin slices of potatoes fried and eaten as a snack in the U.S., while crisps refer to the same snack but are called so in the U.K.
Difference Between Chip and Crisp
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
In the United States, the term "chip" is used to describe what are essentially thinly sliced potatoes that are fried until crispy and served as a snack. On the other hand, in the United Kingdom, these same snacks are referred to as "crisps." This linguistic variation points to the geographic distinctions in English usage between these two countries.
Chips are often sold in a variety of flavors, including plain, barbecue, and sour cream and onion. Whereas, crisps in the U.K. also come in similar flavors but might include some that are specific to British tastes, such as prawn cocktail and roast chicken.
In the U.S., the word "crisp" can also describe the texture of food, particularly how crunchy it is. On the other hand, in the U.K., besides being a snack name, "crisp" can describe the freshness and firmness of vegetables or fruits.
When it comes to packaging, chips in the U.S. are typically sold in bags and sometimes in cans. In contrast, crisps in the U.K. are almost exclusively sold in bags, with distinctive branding and packaging styles that reflect British cultural preferences.
Socially and culturally, enjoying chips during gatherings like parties and sporting events is a common practice in the U.S. Meanwhile, crisps are a staple at similar occasions in the U.K., often accompanied by a pint of beer in pubs or during a family get-together.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Thin slices of fried potatoes
Thin slices of fried potatoes
Common Flavors
Barbecue, sour cream and onion, plain
Prawn cocktail, roast chicken, plain
Packaging
Sold in bags or cans
Almost exclusively sold in bags
Cultural Association
Enjoyed at parties, sporting events
Common in pubs, family gatherings
Textural Use
Rarely describes food texture
Also used to describe freshness in vegetables
Compare with Definitions
Chip
Sold in various flavors and forms.
He prefers kettle-cooked chips because they're crunchier.
Crisp
A British term for thin, fried potato slices, known as chips in the U.S.
She filled a bowl with salt and vinegar crisps.
Chip
A thin slice of potato fried until crispy, typically seasoned.
She offered me a bowl of freshly fried chips.
Crisp
Typically consumed as a snack or with sandwiches.
He packed a sandwich and crisps for lunch.
Chip
A casual food item at social events.
We bought several bags of chips for the game night.
Crisp
Integral to British snack culture.
Crisps are a must-have on our grocery shopping list.
Chip
A popular American snack item.
At the party, the bowl of chips was the first to empty.
Crisp
Available in unique flavors like prawn cocktail.
Prawn cocktail crisps are surprisingly good!
Chip
Often served with dips such as salsa or guacamole.
We need more chips for the guacamole.
Crisp
Frequently found in pubs and social gatherings.
They ordered a round of beers and a packet of crisps.
Chip
A small broken or cut off piece, as of wood, stone, or glass.
Crisp
(of a substance) firm, dry, and brittle
Crisp bacon
The snow is lovely and crisp
Chip
A crack or flaw caused by the removal of a small piece.
Crisp
(of the weather) cool, fresh, and invigorating
A crisp autumn day
Chip
A small disk or counter used in poker and other games to represent money.
Crisp
(of a way of speaking) briskly decisive and matter-of-fact, without hesitation or unnecessary detail
Her answer was crisp
Chip
Chips Slang Money.
Crisp
A wafer-thin slice of potato fried or baked until crisp and eaten as a snack.
Cut down on fatty snacks such as crisps
Chip
See microchip.
Crisp
A dessert of fruit baked with a crunchy topping of brown sugar, butter, and flour
Rhubarb crisp
Chip
A thin, usually fried slice of food, especially a potato chip
Ate chips with her sandwich.
Crisp
Give (food) a crisp surface by placing it in an oven or under a grill
Crisp the pitta in the oven
Chip
A very small piece of food or candy
Made cookies with chocolate chips.
Crisp
Curl (something) into short, stiff, wavy folds or crinkles
There is a cooling breeze which crisps the broad clear river
Chip
Chips Chiefly British French fries.
Crisp
Firm but easily broken or crumbled; brittle
Crisp potato chips.
Chip
Wood, palm leaves, straw, or similar material cut and dried for weaving.
Crisp
Pleasingly firm and fresh
Crisp carrot and celery sticks.
Chip
A fragment of dried animal dung used as fuel.
Crisp
Bracing; invigorating
Crisp mountain air.
Chip
Something worthless.
Crisp
Lively; sprightly
Music with a crisp rhythm.
Chip
(Sports) A chip shot.
Crisp
Conspicuously clean or new
A crisp dollar bill.
Chip
A trick method of throwing one's opponent in wrestling.
Crisp
Marked by clarity, conciseness, and briskness
A crisp reply.
Chip
To chop or cut with an axe or other implement.
Crisp
Having small curls, waves, or ripples. Used of hair.
Chip
To break a small piece from
Chip a tooth.
Crisp
To make or keep crisp.
Chip
To break or cut off (a small piece)
Chip ice from the window.
Crisp
To become or remain crisp.
Chip
To shape or carve by cutting or chopping
Chipped her name in the stone.
Crisp
Something crisp or easily crumbled
The roast was burned to a crisp.
Chip
To implant a microchip in (an organism).
Crisp
A dessert of fruit baked with a sweet crumbly topping
Apple crisp.
Chip
To become broken off into small pieces.
Crisp
Chiefly British A potato chip.
Chip
(Sports) To make a chip shot in golf.
Crisp
(of something seen or heard) Sharp, clearly defined.
This new television set has a very crisp image.
Chip
To cheep, as a bird.
Crisp
Brittle; friable; in a condition to break with a short, sharp fracture.
The crisp snow crunched underfoot.
Chip
A small piece broken from a larger piece of solid material.
Crisp
Possessing a certain degree of firmness and freshness.
Chip
A damaged area of a surface where a small piece has been broken off.
This cup has a chip in it.
Crisp
(of weather, air etc.) Dry and cold.
Chip
A token used in place of cash.
Crisp
(of movement, action etc.) Quick and accurate.
Chip
A sovereign the coin.
Crisp
(of talk, text, etc.) Brief and to the point.
An expert, given a certain query, will often come up with a crisp answer: “yes” or “no”.
Chip
(electronics) A circuit fabricated in one piece on a small, thin substrate.
Crisp
(of wine) having a refreshing amount of acidity; having less acidity than green wine, but more than a flabby one.
Chip
(electronics) A hybrid device mounted in a substrate, containing electronic circuitry and miniaturised mechanical, chemical and/or biochemical devices.
Crisp
(obsolete) Lively; sparking; effervescing.
Chip
A fried strip of potato of square or rectangular cross-section; a french fry.
Do you want sauce or mayonnaise on your chips?
Crisp
(dated) Curling in stiff curls or ringlets.
Crisp hair
Chip
A thin, crisp, fried slice of potato, or sometimes another vegetable; a crisp.
They made their own potato chips from scratch, he ate a tortilla chip, served with a side of apple chips
Crisp
(obsolete) Curled by the ripple of water.
Chip
(sports) A shot during which the ball travels more predominantly upwards than in a regular shot, as to clear an obstacle.
Crisp
(comptheory) Not using fuzzy logic; based on a binary distinction between true and false.
Chip
(curling) A takeout that hits a rock at an angle.
Crisp
(British) A thin slice of fried potato eaten as a snack.
Chip
A dried piece of dung, often used as fuel.
Crisp
A baked dessert made with fruit and crumb topping
Chip
A receptacle, usually for strawberries or other fruit.
Crisp
(food) Anything baked or fried in thin slices and eaten as a snack.
Kale crisps
Chip
(gastronomy) A small, near-conical piece of food added in baking.
Chocolate chip
Crisp
(transitive) To make crisp.
To crisp bacon by frying it
Chip
A small rectangle of colour printed on coated paper for colour selection and matching. A virtual equivalent in software applications.
Crisp
(intransitive) To become crisp.
To put celery into ice water to crisp
Chip
(nautical) The triangular piece of wood attached to the log line.
Crisp
To cause to curl or wrinkle (of the leaves or petals of plants, for example); to form into ringlets or tight curls (of hair).
Chip
(historical) Wood or Cuban palm leaf split into slips, or straw plaited in a special manner, for making hats or bonnets.
Crisp
To become curled.
Chip
Anything dried up, withered, or without flavour.
Crisp
To cause to undulate irregularly (of water); to cause to ripple.
Chip
(golf) A low shot that travels further along the ground than it does in the air.
Crisp
To undulate or ripple.
Chip
(transitive) To chop or cut into small pieces.
The workers chipped the dead branches into mulch.
Crisp
To wrinkle, contort or tense (a part of one's body).
Chip
(transitive) To break small pieces from.
Be careful not to chip the paint.
Crisp
To become contorted or tensed (of a part of the body).
Chip
To play a shot hitting the ball predominantly upwards rather than forwards. In association football specifically, when the shot is a shot on goal, the opposing goalkeeper may be the direct object of the verb, rather than the ball.
Crisp
To interweave (of the branches of trees).
Chip
To upgrade an engine management system, usually to increase power.
Crisp
To make a sharp or harsh sound.
Chip
(intransitive) To become chipped.
This varnish chips easily.
Crisp
To colour (something with highlights); to add small amounts of colour to (something).
Chip
To ante (up).
Crisp
Curling in stiff curls or ringlets; as, crisp hair.
Chip
To fit (an animal) with a microchip.
Crisp
Curled with the ripple of the water.
You nymphs called Naiads, of the winding brooks . . . Leave jour crisp channels.
Chip
To contribute.
Everyone needs to chip in £1 for George's leaving collection
Crisp
Brittle; friable; in a condition to break with a short, sharp fracture; as, crisp snow.
The cakes at tea ate short and crisp.
Chip
(also, to chip at) To make fun of.
Crisp
Possessing a certain degree of firmness and freshness; in a fresh, unwilted condition.
It [laurel] has been plucked nine months, and yet looks as hale and crisp as if it would last ninety years.
Chip
To cut small pieces from; to diminish or reduce to shape, by cutting away a little at a time; to hew.
Crisp
Lively; sparking; effervescing.
Your neat crisp claret.
Chip
To break or crack, or crack off a portion of, as of an eggshell in hatching, or a piece of crockery.
Crisp
Brisk; crackling; cheerful; lively.
The snug, small room, and the crisp fire.
Chip
To bet, as with chips in the game of poker.
Crisp
To curl; to form into ringlets, as hair, or the nap of cloth; to interweave, as the branches of trees.
Chip
To break or fly off in small pieces.
Crisp
To cause to undulate irregularly, as crape or water; to wrinkle; to cause to ripple. Cf. Crimp.
The lover with the myrtle spraysAdorns his crisped tresses.
Along the crisped shades and bowers.
The crisped brooks,Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold.
Chip
A piece of wood, stone, or other substance, separated by an ax, chisel, or cutting instrument.
Crisp
To make crisp or brittle, as in cooking.
Chip
A fragment or piece broken off; a small piece.
Crisp
That which is crisp or brittle; the state of being crisp or brittle; as, burned to a crisp; specifically, the rind of roasted pork; crackling.
Chip
Wood or Cuban palm leaf split into slips, or straw plaited in a special manner, for making hats or bonnets.
Crisp
A thin crisp slice of potato fried in deep fat
Chip
Anything dried up, withered, or without flavor; - used contemptuously.
Crisp
Make wrinkles or creases into a smooth surface;
The dress got wrinkled
Chip
One of the counters used in poker and other games.
Crisp
Make brown and crisp by heating;
Toast bread
Crisp potatoes
Chip
The triangular piece of wood attached to the log line.
Crisp
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined;
A sharp photographic image
The sharp crack of a twig
The crisp snap of dry leaves underfoot
Chip
A small fragment of something broken off from the whole;
A bit of rock caught him in the eye
Crisp
Tender and brittle;
Crisp potato chips
Chip
A triangular wooden float attached to the end of a log line
Crisp
Pleasantly cold and invigorating;
Crisp clear nights and frosty mornings
A nipping wind
A nippy fall day
Snappy weather
Chip
A piece of dried bovine dung
Crisp
Pleasingly firm and fresh and making a crunching noise when chewed;
Crisp carrot and celery sticks
A firm apple
Crunchy lettuce
Chip
A thin crisp slice of potato fried in deep fat
Crisp
In small tight curls
Chip
A mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something
Crisp
Brief and to the point; effectively cut short;
A crisp retort
A response so curt as to be almost rude
The laconic reply; `yes'
Short and terse and easy to understand
Chip
A small disk-shaped counter used to represent money when gambling
Chip
Electronic equipment consisting of a small crystal of a silicon semiconductor fabricated to carry out a number of electronic functions in an integrated circuit
Chip
A low running approach shot
Chip
The act of chipping something
Chip
Break off (a piece from a whole);
Her tooth chipped
Chip
Cut a nick into
Chip
Play a chip shot
Chip
Form by chipping;
They chipped their names in the stone
Chip
Break a small piece off from;
Chip the glass
Chip a tooth
Common Curiosities
Are chips and crisps the same thing?
Yes, chips and crisps refer to the same item but are called differently in the U.S. and U.K., respectively.
Why do Americans call them chips?
The term "chips" is derived from the American English word "chip," which means to cut or slice thinly.
What is a unique crisp flavor in the U.K.?
Prawn cocktail is a flavor unique to British crisps.
What are crisps?
In the U.K., crisps are what Americans call chips, which are also thin slices of fried potatoes.
Where are chips typically sold?
In the U.S., chips are sold in bags or cans in most grocery stores and supermarkets.
How are chips used in meals?
In the U.S., chips are often served with dips or as a side to sandwiches.
Can "crisp" be used to describe other foods?
In the U.K., "crisp" can describe the texture of foods like vegetables, indicating they are fresh and firm.
What is a popular flavor of chips in the U.S.?
Barbecue is a popular chip flavor in the U.S.
Are chips more popular in the U.S. or U.K.?
Chips are extremely popular in both regions, but the term and specific flavors may vary.
What are chips?
In the U.S., chips are thin slices of potatoes fried until crispy, commonly served as a snack.
Do chips and crisps have different textures?
The texture might vary slightly between brands, but generally, they are both intended to be crispy.
Where are crisps typically sold?
In the U.K., crisps are predominantly sold in bags and are widely available in pubs and stores.
What cultural role do crisps play in the U.K.?
Crisps are a significant part of snack culture in the U.K., especially in social settings like pubs and family gatherings.
How are crisps used in meals?
In the U.K., crisps are commonly enjoyed as a snack, with sandwiches, or as part of a pub meal.
Are chips or crisps healthier?
Both are similar in health content; moderation is key due to high fat and salt content.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
