Definition

Noun: 1. A contemptible or cowardly person; someone who lacks courage or resolve. This is the primary and most common meaning. It refers to a person whose actions are considered despicable because they stem from fear or weakness. 2. Trivial, worthless, or petty things, often bureaucratic rules or details. This meaning extends from the idea of something being insignificant and contemptible. 3. Nonsense or lies, especially those told out of fear or to avoid responsibility. This aligns closely with the provided reference definition of "a false statement that is considered to indicate timidity or fear."

Usage Notes

• Register: This is a vulgar slang term. It is highly offensive and should be used with extreme caution, if at all, especially in formal or polite contexts.
• Connotation: The word carries strong connotations of contempt, disdain, and judgment. It is not a neutral descriptor.
• Common Constructions: It is most frequently used as a predicate noun (e.g., "He's a chickenshit") or as a modifier (e.g., "chickenshit rules").

Examples

• Referring to a person:
  • He didn't stand up for his friend because he was afraid of getting hurt. What a chickenshit.
  • Don't be a chickenshit; just go and ask her out.
• Referring to trivial things:
  • I'm tired of all this bureaucratic chickenshit; I just want to get the job done.
  • They fired him over some chickenshit like being five minutes late.
• Referring to false statements/fearful nonsense:
  • That's not what happened. Don't listen to his chickenshit.
  • He told some chickenshit story about his car breaking down because he was too scared to admit he forgot.

Advanced Usage

• As an adjective (informal): While primarily a noun, it is often used attributively to describe nouns.
  • That was a chickenshit move to blame the new intern. (cowardly action)
  • We have to follow these chickenshit regulations. (petty regulations)

Variants and Related Words

• Chicken (noun/slang): A less vulgar but still informal term for a coward.
  • He's too much of a chicken to try the roller coaster.
• Coward (noun): The standard, non-slang term for a person who lacks courage.
• Gutless (adjective): Lacking courage or determination.
• Petty (adjective): Of little importance; trivial. (Relates to the second meaning).

Synonyms

• For a person: Coward, wimp, gutless wonder, poltroon, scaredy-cat (informal).
• For things/rules: Nonsense, trivia, red tape, bureaucracy, petty details.
• For false statements: Lies, bullshit (vulgar), falsehoods, fabrications.

Antonyms

• For a person: Hero, brave person, stalwart, daredevil.
• For things: Important matters, substance, essentials.

Noun

1. a false statement that is considered to indicate timidity or fear