chick
10 synonyms for chick, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A young, newly hatched bird, especially a baby chicken.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Old English ċicen, the same root that gave us "chicken"; the "young woman" sense developed in slang around the mid-1800s.
Full origin of chick →Frequently asked questions
What does “chick” mean?
The word “chick” means a young, newly hatched bird, especially a baby chicken. In plain terms, either a baby bird, or (informally, and to some ears dated) slang for a young woman.
How do you pronounce “chick”?
“Chick” is pronounced chihk (/t͡ʃɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “chick” in a sentence?
Here is “chick” used in a sentence: “The hen led her chicks across the yard.”
What part of speech is “chick”?
“Chick” is a noun.
Where does the word “chick” come from?
The word “chick” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Old English. From Old English ċicen, the same root that gave us "chicken"; the "young woman" sense developed in slang around the mid-1800s.
Is “chick” a common word?
“Chick” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “chick” have?
“Chick” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a young, newly hatched bird, especially a baby chicken.
Is it offensive to call a woman a chick?
Chick is informal slang for a young woman, and reactions to it vary widely. Many people find it disrespectful or dated, especially in professional settings, while others use it casually among friends; it is safest to avoid it in formal or workplace contexts.
What is the difference between a chick and a chicken?
A chicken is the bird itself at any age, while a chick is specifically a young, newly hatched bird. Chick is also used for the young of many other bird species, as in a penguin chick or an eagle chick.
What is the difference between a chick and a hen?
A chick is a newly hatched bird of either sex, while a hen is an adult female chicken. As a female chick matures she is first called a pullet — a young hen — before being counted as a hen.
