chick

[ chik ]

noun

1. a young chicken or other bird.
2. a child.
3. Slang: Often Offensive. a term used to refer to a girl or young woman.

chick

/ tʃɪk /

noun

1. the young of a bird, esp of a domestic fowl
2. slang.
   a girl or young woman, esp an attractive one
3. a young child: used as a term of endearment

Sensitive Note

As a term used to refer to a young woman, chick is slightly dated. Originally it was perceived as insulting because of the perception that it infantilized women. Now the word has been embraced by some women as a positive term of self-reference and an expression of camaraderie. When used as a modifier, as in chick flick and chick lit, its meaning is not restricted to young women and its use is not offensive.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chick¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English chike, variant of chiken; chicken

Word History and Origins

Origin of chick¹

C14: short for chicken

Example Sentences

“Like that,” she wrote him, “only driven by a hot Aussie chick … but she’s a politician.”

From Los Angeles Times

They also vocalize to tell their chicks they are back at the nest with food and, seemingly, to cheer on their babies when they’re learning to fly.

From Salon

The chick, dubbed an "absolute unit", became an online favourite thanks to his status as the biggest newborn the attraction had ever seen.

From BBC

I was like, “Dude, I was just making out with a chick in the middle of the street in Portland.”

From Los Angeles Times

Doubles are also one of my all time top favorite things to eat, which are stewed chick peas served with two pieces of another kind of fried bread called bara.

From Salon

Related Words

• gal
• girl
• woman
• young woman