chicken

Less common meanings

4. 4
   cowardlyadjectivecolloquial

   Too scared to do something, and not at all brave.

   Like someone who runs away as soon as things get scary.

   He's too chicken to jump off the high board.

   Don't be so chicken. Just go and ask her.

   UsageUsually comes after be or look: too chicken to jump.

   Similarcowardly, gutless, timid, fearful, spineless

   Oppositebrave, courageous, bold, fearless

5. 5
   back outverbintransitive

   To not do something because you are too scared, usually said as 'chicken out'.

   Like turning back at the door because you feel too scared to knock.

   I wanted to ask her to dance, but I chickened out.

   My brother says he won't chicken out on the big roller coaster.

   UsageUsually chicken out, or chicken out of doing something.

   Similarflinch, falter

   Note
6. 6
   head-on racenouncountable or uncountable

   A dangerous game where people dare each other, and the first one to get scared and stop loses.

   Like two kids on bikes riding straight at each other to see who turns away first.

   They played chicken on the empty highway at midnight.

   Neither driver would swerve, turning a stupid game of chicken into a deadly crash.

   UsageUsually play chicken or a game of chicken.

   Note
7. 7
   dancenouncountable or uncountable

   A simple dance where people copy the movements of a chicken.

   Everyone did the chicken at the wedding reception.

   The kids flapped their arms like wings as they did the chicken.

   UsageSay do the chicken.

8. 8
   nounslangcountable

   A young person, mostly in the phrase no spring chicken, which means someone is no longer young.

   Like the new kid at school who hasn't learned how things work yet.

   Grandpa is no spring chicken, but he still mows his own lawn.

   I'm no spring chicken anymore, so I take the stairs slowly.

   UsageUsually in no spring chicken, meaning not young any more.

   Similarbeginner

   Oppositeveteran

   Note
9. 9
   baby birdnounarchaiccountable or uncountable

   A baby bird of any kind.

   There they are – four ugly little chickens, a bit more than half-feathered, and all gaping mouths and bare bellies.

   1934, Henry G. Lamond, An Aviary on the PlainsHere, chickens means baby birds, young birds of any kind.

   Note
10. 10
    young mannounslangcountable

    A young, good-looking, slim man with little body hair.

    Europe's Favorite Gay Newspaper has something for you! Handsome studs, Tender Chicken, and lots of Male Nudes!

    1976, “Classified advertisement”, in Gay Community NewsHere, chicken means young, good-looking, slim men.

    I am a little white chicken, beautiful as sweet and young as beautiful and soft as young and gay as soft and innocent as gay. I dare you to write.

    1991, Ronald Smith, “Personal advertisement”Here, chicken means a young, good-looking, slim man.

    Note
11. 11
    nounobsoletecountable or uncountable

    A small metal pot once used in a tavern or bar.

    Note
12. 12
    nounslangUS

    A kilogram of cocaine, an illegal drug.