chicken - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
chicken Word Meanings
- a domesticated bird used as food
- a cowardly person
- a young bird
chicken Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
chicken Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈtʃɪk.ən/
US
/ˈtʃɪk.ən/
chicken Word Etymology
chicken: 'chick' + '-en'; Middle English 'chike' → Old French 'chiche' → Latin 'gallina'. Imagine a small chick pecking around, symbolizing youth and vulnerability.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I pick up a chicken from the fridge and set it on the cutting board. I move the knife, adjust my grip, and watch the light shift across the pale skin. I push and pull, pace my breaths, and keep my focus as the pieces fall into place. If someone calls me a chicken, I square my shoulders and keep going, treating the task in front of me as real work rather than fear.
Real Context
Chicken is a versatile English noun with three common senses. First, it denotes the domesticated fowl kept for eggs and meat, as in 'roast chicken' or 'a chicken sandwich.' Second, chicken is used figuratively to describe a coward, as in 'don’t be a chicken' or 'he chickened out.' Third, it can mean a young bird, a chick, before it grows into an adult. The etymology traces to chick + en, evolving from Middle English chike to Old French chiche and Latin gallina, emphasizing a small, vulnerable creature. Learners should rely on context to pick the right sense and beware false friends in languages that don’t share these overlaps.
Usage Reminders
- Know three senses: animal, meat, and coward. Use 'chicken out' to mean losing courage. 'Chick' is a related but different word. Watch collocations: roasted chicken, chicken soup, chicken sandwich. Do not confuse 'hen' with 'chicken' in casual speech. Use context clues to pick the right meaning.
Common Misconceptions
- Chick and chicken are interchangeable for young birds.
- Chicken always means a coward.
- Chicken must refer to meat in every sentence.
- Cowardly meaning only applies to people, not animals.
- Young bird sense is common in everyday speech.
Thinking Differences
Explain to an English speaker (meta, keep short)
Learning Tips
- Practice with common collocations: roasted chicken, chicken soup, chicken sandwich.
- Use 'to chicken out' only for losing courage in situations.
- Learn 'chick' separately for a young bird.
- Map each meaning to a scenario (food, fear, youth).
- Watch for false friends where other languages map differently.
- Read and listen to varied examples to grasp context.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'chicken' correctly?
A.I ate a chicken for breakfast.
B.My chicken is blue.
C.The chicken flew in the sky.
D.Chicken is my favorite color.
Step 3: Similar Words
What word is most similar to 'chicken'?
A.Pig
B.Turkey
C.Apple
D.Cow
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'chicken'?
A.Brave
B.Fearless
C.Coward
D.Bold
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context for 'chicken'?
A.Sheep
B.Beef
C.Eggs
D.Pasta
Related Listening
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🔥 Advanced
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