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

Example Sentences

Lyn was no chicken-hearted weakling, to sit down and weep unavailingly in time of peril.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a rush of patriots to Paris, and another rush of the chicken-hearted to the coast and the frontier.

From Project Gutenberg

I forgive Bellecour, who is only a chicken-hearted fellow anyway!

From Project Gutenberg

But others don't know you as well as I do, and there's plenty of them would think you were chicken-hearted.

From Project Gutenberg

What a chicken-hearted fellow her father must have thought me!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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