chick

American  

[chik] / tʃɪk /

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.

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chick British  

/ 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

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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.

Etymology

Origin of chick

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

Example Sentences

The parents share responsibility for feeding their chick.

From BBC

At the Houses of Parliament, he holds a peregrine falcon chick while it is ringed for identification.

From BBC

It’s no mere comfort watch, and certainly no chick flick.

From Salon

Inside were rows of nesting boxes in which the chickens laid their eggs, and an incubator room with its own woodstove, so the room could be kept warm for baby chicks.

From Literature

It is not known for certain that the puffins seen this year managed to successfully rear a chick.

From BBC

Related Words

• gal
• girl
• woman
• young woman