chin
CHIHN
Chin (noun) means the part of the face below the mouth, forming the bottom of the jaw. Example: “The boxer tucked his chin down to protect himself from the punch.”
noun
1
The part of the face below the mouth, forming the bottom of the jaw.
"The boxer tucked his chin down to protect himself from the punch."
"He rested his chin on his hands while he thought."
"She has a small scar on her chin from a childhood fall."
verb
1
To perform a chin-up, pulling yourself up while hanging from a bar.
"I can only chin the bar twice before my arms give up."
"The coach told us to chin ourselves ten times each."
"He can chin the bar fifteen times in a row."
How to use chin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe lowest part of the face, under the mouth.
Common pairings
chin up
double chin
strong chin
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like chin.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- chins
- Third person singular
- chins
- Past tense
- chinned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The boxer tucked his _____ down to protect himself from the punch.
Etymology
From Old English ċinn, related to Latin gena and Greek génus, all ultimately meaning "jaw" or "chin".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for chin
See all rhymes for chin →Frequently asked questions
What does “chin” mean?
The word “chin” means the part of the face below the mouth, forming the bottom of the jaw. In plain terms, the lowest part of the face, under the mouth.
How do you pronounce “chin”?
“Chin” is pronounced CHIHN (/ˈt͡ʃɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “chin” in a sentence?
Here is “chin” used in a sentence: “He rested his chin on his hands while he thought.”
What part of speech is “chin”?
Depending on how it is used, “chin” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chin” come from?
The word “chin” comes from Latin. From Old English ċinn, related to Latin gena and Greek génus, all ultimately meaning "jaw" or "chin".
Is “chin” a common word?
“Chin” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “chin” have?
“Chin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the part of the face below the mouth, forming the bottom of the jaw.
What is the difference between the chin and the jaw?
The chin is the part of the face below the mouth, forming the bottom of the jaw. The jaw is the larger bony structure that holds the teeth and moves when you chew and speak. So the chin is one visible feature of the lower jaw rather than a separate structure.
What is the difference between a chin-up and a pull-up?
Both involve pulling your body up while hanging from a bar — which is also what the verb chin means. In common gym usage, a chin-up is done with palms facing toward you and a pull-up with palms facing away. The chin-up grip generally works the biceps more.
