chicken-hearted

[ chik-uhn-hahr-tid ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. timid; fearful; cowardly.

chicken-hearted

adjective

1. easily frightened; cowardly

Derived Forms

• ˌchicken-ˈheartedly, adverb
• ˌchicken-ˈheartedness, noun

Other Words From

• chicken-hearted·ly adverb
• chicken-hearted·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chicken-hearted¹

An Americanism dating back to 1675–85

Related Words

• afraid
• anxious
• fearful
• panicky
• spooked
• startled
• unnerved