chic

[ sheek ]

adjective

, chic·er, chic·est.

1. attractive and fashionable; stylish:

   a chic hat.

   Synonyms: modish, elegant, smart

noun

1. style and elegance, especially in dress:

   Paris clothes have such chic.

2. stylishness; modishness:

   the chic of the firstnighters.

3. casual and understated style, as in dress or décor, that expresses a specified trendy lifestyle or activity:

   Black-rimmed glasses bring some geek chic to your outfit.

chic

/ ʃiːk; ʃɪk /

adjective

1. (esp of fashionable clothes, women, etc) stylish or elegant

noun

1. stylishness, esp in dress; modishness; fashionable good taste
2. any of various fashion movements based on a particular lifestyle

   radical chic

   geek chic

Pronunciation Note

The spelling pronunciation [chik] is considered nonstandard except when used facetiously.

Derived Forms

• ˈchicly, adverb

Other Words From

• chicly adverb
• chicness noun
• super·chic adjective
• ultra·chic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chic¹

1855–60; < French < German Schick skill

Word History and Origins

Origin of chic¹

C19: from French, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

His interior design style could be defined as hobby-shop chic.

From Fortune

Where they differ is in passenger capacity, indoor cooking space, and chic extras like Recon’s touchscreen and shower.

From Outside Online

When fashion and technology combine, the result is usually a chic product at the end.

From Essence.com

With three locations across the country, including one in a northern mountainous region with stunning views of Kazbegi, the brand has become known among savvy travelers for an ultra-modern, smart design it calls “industrial chic.”

From Ozy

The brand’s chic universal basic and denim lines have a small brick and mortar footprint than its mother brand making 40% of its sales online.

From Search Engine Watch

But Brooke was out of step with the New Left and its notion of radical chic.

From The Daily Beast

By Ana Marie Cox Just in time for Christmas, Glenn Beck goes for hipster-chic as a conservative fashion statement.

From The Daily Beast

Just in time for Christmas, Glenn Beck goes for hipster-chic as a conservative fashion statement.

From The Daily Beast

Back in 2001, that “definition” of female beauty basically fell into two categories: Playboy chic, or heroin chic.

From The Daily Beast

Jacqueline Kennedy helped change all that in the 1960s, with her unflappable chic and wardrobe full of haute couture.

From The Daily Beast

Now his colouring is chic, capricious, and coquettish, now it is that of the most delicate faded Gobelin tapestry.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a nice smart looking young gentleman, and he had with him a lady, well dressed and very chic.

From Project Gutenberg

This makes his manner serious and masculine—rescues it from the thinness of tricks and the coquetries of chic.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a practical young fellow, and if he wanted a mansion, without which no artist is chic, he meant it to bring him an income.

From Project Gutenberg

I loathe the ‘last chic, the little indefinable touches that give a toilet,’ and so forth!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• elegant
• exclusive
• mod
• modern
• stylish
• swank
• trendy