First recorded in 1845–55; from Chinese qì “breath, air, spirit, gas”
The word qi may be little, but boy is it energetic. In fact, qi stands for the energy in everything. (It's also a handy word to know in Scrabble.) In Chinese philosophy, qi, also spelled chi or ch'i, is the life force that every person, plant, animal, and thing — including inanimate objects — has. Chinese medicine and acupuncture both address the concept of qi; if you're feeling a little under the weather, an unbalanced qi may be the culprit. The concept is also used in the martial arts: If you've ever practiced tai chi, then you're already familiar with qi, just with a different spelling.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With my skin moisturized, and my qi unblocked, my skin glowed.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2024
Gua sha allows for targeted massage to release tension along muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia of the face and neck so that qi can flow properly through the meridians, thereby restoring balance.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2024
Every so often these shocks to the system are tremendously welcome: a way to clear the mind, heart and qi, even if the dry sauna is filled with groaning men in a midlife trance.
From New York Times • Mar. 16, 2024
I knew qigong is connected to qi, translated from Chinese as vital energy.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 9, 2022
Et se p’ti de la busoigne le duc de Normandie qi sicome home dit est venuz a Paris et ad signifie ces novelles a Monsr Rob’t de Cleremont son lieutenant es p’ties de seint Loo.
From A Chronicle of London from 1089 to 1483 Written in the Fifteenth Century, and for the First Time Printed from MSS. in the British Museum by Nicolas, Nicholas Harris, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
