Chick: meaning, definitions and examples

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chick

[tʃɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

young bird

A chick is a baby bird, especially a young chicken. Chicks are usually fluffy and unable to fly. They rely on their parents for food and protection.

Synonyms

baby bird, young chicken.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
chick	Often used informally and colloquially to refer to a young bird, particularly a young chicken. It can also be used to refer to a young woman, though this usage can be considered disrespectful or derogatory. The mother hen was protecting her chicks He saw a chick in the street and whistled, which made her uncomfortable
baby bird	Used to describe a bird that is at a very early stage of its life. This term is more general and can apply to any species of bird. The baby bird fell out of its nest We fed the baby bird with a dropper until it was strong enough to fly
young chicken	Specifically refers to a young chicken and is typically used in contexts involving farming or cooking. The farmer keeps the young chickens in a separate pen Roast young chicken is a popular dish at the restaurant

Word

Description / Examples

chick

Often used informally and colloquially to refer to a young bird, particularly a young chicken. It can also be used to refer to a young woman, though this usage can be considered disrespectful or derogatory.

The mother hen was protecting her chicks
He saw a chick in the street and whistled, which made her uncomfortable

baby bird

Used to describe a bird that is at a very early stage of its life. This term is more general and can apply to any species of bird.

The baby bird fell out of its nest
We fed the baby bird with a dropper until it was strong enough to fly

young chicken

Specifically refers to a young chicken and is typically used in contexts involving farming or cooking.

The farmer keeps the young chickens in a separate pen
Roast young chicken is a popular dish at the restaurant

Examples of usage

The mother hen was busy looking after her chicks.
The farm had a coop full of adorable little chicks.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

young woman

In informal slang, a chick is a term used to refer to a young woman. This term can be considered derogatory or offensive, so it's important to use it with caution.

Synonyms

girl, young woman.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
chick	This term is informal and often used in casual conversation among friends to refer to a young woman. It can be perceived as disrespectful or sexist, so it's important to be cautious about the context and audience. Hey, did you see that chick at the party last night? There's this chick at work who's really cool.
young woman	This phrase is more formal and respectful, often used in professional or serious contexts. It emphasizes the youth and gender of the person without implying any disrespect. The young woman gave a compelling presentation at the conference. She is a talented young woman with a bright future ahead.
girl	This is a general term that can refer to a female child or a young woman. It is widely accepted and commonly used in both casual and formal situations. There were a lot of girls playing in the park. She's a smart girl who always does well in school.

Word

Description / Examples

chick

This term is informal and often used in casual conversation among friends to refer to a young woman. It can be perceived as disrespectful or sexist, so it's important to be cautious about the context and audience.

Hey, did you see that chick at the party last night?
There's this chick at work who's really cool.

young woman

This phrase is more formal and respectful, often used in professional or serious contexts. It emphasizes the youth and gender of the person without implying any disrespect.

The young woman gave a compelling presentation at the conference.
She is a talented young woman with a bright future ahead.

girl

This is a general term that can refer to a female child or a young woman. It is widely accepted and commonly used in both casual and formal situations.

There were a lot of girls playing in the park.
She's a smart girl who always does well in school.

Examples of usage

He always hangs out with a different chick every weekend.
She didn't appreciate being called a chick by the group of guys.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'chick' comes from Middle English, originally meaning a small young bird.
In the 19th century, 'chick' became a common term specifically for baby chickens.
Related terms include 'chicken' and 'chickadee,' both connected to various bird species.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, chicks symbolize new beginnings and fertility, often linked to spring.
The Easter holiday features chicks prominently, symbolizing rebirth and the arrival of spring.
Chicks are pets in many households, enhancing people's connection to nature and farming.

Science

Chicks start developing inside their eggs, and it typically takes about 21 days for them to hatch.
They can communicate through chirps even while still in the egg, signaling their presence to their mother.
A chick’s first few hours are crucial for its survival, as it learns to find food and water quickly.

Pop Culture

The animated film 'Chicken Run' features chicks trying to escape from a farm, blending humor with adventure.
Chicks appear regularly in children’s books and cartoons, often portrayed as fun and playful characters.
The term 'chick' is sometimes used colloquially for young women, although it's considered informal.

Translations

Translations of the word "chick" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pintinho

🇮🇳 चूजा

🇩🇪 Küken

🇮🇩 anak ayam

🇺🇦 курча

🇵🇱 kurczak

🇯🇵 ひよこ

🇫🇷 poussin

🇪🇸 pollito

🇹🇷 civciv

🇰🇷 병아리

🇸🇦 فرخ

🇨🇿 kuře

🇸🇰 kuriatko

🇨🇳 小鸡

🇸🇮 pišče

🇮🇸 ungar

🇰🇿 балапан

🇬🇪 წიწილა

🇦🇿 civciv

🇲🇽 pollito

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,599, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11597 rags
11598 ocular
11599 chick
11600 reed
11601 voyages
11602 awaken
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