Definition

1. Noun:
   • A young bird, especially a domestic chicken: A newly hatched or very young bird, most commonly referring to a baby chicken.
   • Informal term for a young woman: A slang term, often considered dated or potentially offensive, used to refer to a young woman.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Young Bird):
  • The hen protected her chick from the rain.
  • We saw a duck with several chicks on the pond.
• Noun (Informal: Young Woman):
  • He was trying to impress the chicks at the party. (Note: This usage is informal and can be perceived as disrespectful.)

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The informal use for a young woman is considered slang. Its acceptability has changed over time, and it is now often viewed as derogatory or objectifying. It is best avoided in formal or polite contexts.
• The primary and neutral meaning refers exclusively to a young bird.

Variants and Related Words

• Chicken (n): The adult bird, especially of the domestic fowl.
  • We keep chickens for their eggs.
• Chickadee (n): A type of small North American bird. (This is a specific bird name, not a variant of "chick").

Synonyms

• For young bird: Nestling, fledgling, baby bird.
• For young woman (informal): Girl, gal (informal), bird (UK slang). (Note: Many synonyms in this category are also informal or slang.)

Idioms and Phrases

• Neither chick nor child: An old idiom meaning to have no children or dependents at all.
  • They have neither chick nor child to worry about.
• One chick keeps a hen busy: A proverb suggesting that even one child requires a lot of attention and care.

Noun

1. informal terms for a (young) woman
2. young bird especially of domestic fowl