Definition

Noun: 1. A blue poker chip with the highest value: In gambling, especially poker, this is the chip representing the largest monetary amount. 2. A common stock of a nationally known, financially sound company: Refers to the stock of a large, well-established, and reliable company with a history of stable earnings and consistent dividend payments. These stocks are considered high-quality, lower-risk investments, though they typically have a high share price and a relatively low dividend yield.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Finance):
  • Investors seeking stability often include several blue chips in their portfolio.
  • The company's consistent performance over decades has earned it a reputation as a blue chip.
• Noun (Gaming):
  • He pushed all his blue chips into the center of the table, going all-in.

Advanced Usage

• "Blue-chip" as an adjective: Used to describe something of the highest quality, reliability, or prestige, extending beyond finance.
  • The university recruited a blue-chip athlete for their football team.
  • She works for a blue-chip law firm in the city.

Variants and Related Words

• Blue-chip (adj): The hyphenated form used as an adjective, as shown in the "Advanced Usage" section.
• Large-cap stock: A related financial term for companies with a large market capitalization, which often overlap with blue-chip companies.

Synonyms

• Noun (Finance): Bellwether, large-cap stock, leader, premium stock.
• Adjective (General): First-rate, top-tier, premier, high-grade.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Blue-chip investment": An investment in a blue-chip stock or, metaphorically, in any very reliable asset or venture.
  • Buying property in the city center is considered a blue-chip investment.

Noun

1. a blue poker chip with the highest value
2. a common stock of a nationally known company whose value and dividends are reliable; typically have high price and low yield
   • blue chips are usually safe investments