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; see origin at chicken

Explanation

A chick is a baby bird, especially a just-hatched chicken. Chicks are small, yellow, and fluffy. Chick can describe most young birds, from an eagle chick to a flamingo chick, or be used more generally: "Dogs aren't allowed on the beach because of the nesting seabirds and their chicks." What most people picture when they think of a chick, though, is a newly hatched chicken, and in fact the word is a 14th century shortened form of chicken. It's also long been an informal, slightly offensive term for a young woman.

Example Sentences

But Anthony Belleau scored a penalty and replacement flanker Callum Chick added a try to eliminate Scarlets and send South Africans Bulls into the last 16.

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

Archie McParland buzzed around waspishly at nine, while Callum Chick was everywhere in the back row.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

The Chick Evans Scholarship has been awarded to more than 12,000 caddies since its inception.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2025

“After the wonderful but lengthy process of selecting names for Jackie and Shadow’s adorable chicks, Bigger Chick is now named Sunny and Smaller Chick is now named Gizmo.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2025

When Herbert’s boyhood friend Chick Webb came to New York, he introduced Herbert to some of his show-business pals such as Bill Robinson and Fats Waller.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers

Related Words

• gal
• girl
• woman
• young woman