Chicken

/ˈtʃɪkɪn/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A domestic fowl bred for food, especially for its flesh or eggs.

I bought a whole chicken to roast for dinner.

The flesh of a chicken used as food.

I prefer to eat grilled chicken salad for lunch.

A cowardly person.

Don't be such a chicken; just ask her out!

verb

To flinch from or to show fear about something.

He chickened out of the skydiving trip at the last minute.

Middle English 'chikene', from Old English 'cicċe'.

chicken out

To decide not to do something because of fear.

like a chicken with its head cut off

In a confused or frantic state.

hold your chickens

To be patient; wait.

scaredy-cat

A person who is timid or cowardly.

rooster

A male chicken.

hen

A female chicken.

poultry

Domestic birds raised for food.

A coward.

He's such a chicken for not going to the party.

An inexperienced person.

She's a chicken when it comes to driving on the highway.