English Meaning & Definitions
A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat, especially a young one.
- “The farmer went out to the coop to feed the chickens.”
- “We decided to roast a whole chicken for Sunday dinner.”
Informal term for someone who is cowardly or afraid to do something.
- “Don't be such a chicken; just jump off the diving board!”
- “He was too chicken to ask her out on a date.”
To lose one's nerve or decide not to do something because of fear (usually followed by 'out').
- “They were going to go skydiving, but they chickened out at the last minute.”
- “Don't chicken out now when we are so close to finishing the project.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “chicken”.
Derived from the Old English 'cicen', a diminutive of 'coc' (cock). Originally referring specifically to the young of the domestic fowl, the term eventually expanded to denote the species as a whole.
Think of a 'chick' (baby bird) that is 'en' (enlarged) to become a chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions About “chicken”
1. What is the meaning of “chicken” in English?
In English, chicken (noun) is defined as: “A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat, especially a young one.”.
2. How do you use “chicken” in a sentence?
“The farmer went out to the coop to feed the chickens.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “chicken”?
Derived from the Old English 'cicen', a diminutive of 'coc' (cock). Originally referring specifically to the young of the domestic fowl, the term eventually expanded to denote the species as a whole.
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