adj · name · noun · verb · 20 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, derogatory, slang, sometimes
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
A young, attractive, slim man, usually having little body hair; compare chickenhawk.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Polari, countable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: twink
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
The game of dare.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: game of chicken
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
The game of dare.
A confrontational game in which the participants move toward each other at high speed (usually in automobiles); the player who turns first to avoid colliding into the other is the "chicken" (that is, the loser).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
Don't play chicken with a freight train; you're guaranteed to lose.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: game of chicken
Antonyms: none provided
11
noun
Meaning 11
A simple dance in which the movements of a chicken are imitated.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Qualifier: preceded by definite article
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
noun
Meaning 12
A kilogram of cocaine.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, slang, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: bird, brick
Antonyms: none provided
13
noun
Meaning 13
A small pewter pot used in a tavern.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, obsolete, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
noun
Meaning 14
plural of chick
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, dialectal, form-of, obsolete, plural
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
15
verb
Meaning 15
To avoid a situation one is afraid of.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
16
adjective satellite
Meaning 16
easily frightened
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
a domestic fowl bred for flesh or eggs; believed to have been developed from the red jungle fowl
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: Gallus gallus
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: domestic fowl, fowl, poultry
Narrower terms: chick, biddy, cock, rooster, capon, hen, spring chicken, Rhode Island red, Dominique, Dominick, Orpington
18
noun
Meaning 18
a foolhardy competition; a dangerous activity that is continued until one competitor becomes afraid and stops
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: contest, competition
19
noun
Meaning 19
the flesh of a chicken used for food
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: poulet, volaille
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: poultry
Narrower terms: broiler, capon, fryer, frier, pullet, roaster, spatchcock, hen
20
noun
Meaning 20
a person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: wimp, crybaby
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: weakling, doormat, wuss
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *kukkaz Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Germanic *-īnaz Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn? Proto-Germanic *kukkīną? Old English ċicen Middle English chiken English chicken From Middle English chiken (also as chike > English chick), from Old English ċicen, ċycen (“chicken”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn (“chicken”), or alternatively from Proto-West Germanic *kukkīn, equivalent to cock + -en. Compare North Frisian schückling (“chicken”), Saterland Frisian Sjuuken (“chicken”), Dutch kuiken (“chick, chicken”), German Low German Küken (“chick”), whence German Küken (“chick”), (elevated, obsolete) German Küchlein (“chick”) and Old Norse kjúklingr (“chicken”).
Chosen instead of ptarmigan (a common local bird) because of a dispute over the correct spelling.
From chick + -en (plural ending).
Shortening of chicken out.
Across languages
Translations
596 source translations are retained for this English entry.