1 chicken
/ˈtʃɪkn̩/
noun
plural
chickens
1 chicken
/ˈtʃɪkn̩/
noun
plural
chickens
Britannica Dictionary definition of CHICKEN
1
a
[count]
:
a bird that is raised by people for its eggs and meat
b
[noncount]
:
the meat of the chicken used as food
-
We had chicken for dinner.
-
fried/roasted/grilled chicken
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— often used before another noun
-
chicken soup/broth
-
chicken salad
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2
[count]
informal
:
a person who is afraid
:
-
It's just a spider, you chicken!
-
Don't be such a big chicken.
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count your chickens
◊ If you count your chickens or (US) count your chickens before they hatch or (Brit) before they're hatched, you believe that something you want to happen will definitely happen before you know for certain that it really will. Don't count your chickens before they hatch—we don't know yet if she will accept our offer. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
— see also spring chicken
2 chicken
/ˈtʃɪkn̩/
adjective
2 chicken
/ˈtʃɪkn̩/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of CHICKEN
not used before a noun
[more chicken; most chicken]
informal
:
too afraid to do something
-
He's too chicken [=cowardly] to stand up to them.
-
You're chicken, aren't you?
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3 chicken
/ˈtʃɪkn̩/
verb
chickens;
chickened;
chickening
3 chicken
/ˈtʃɪkn̩/
verb
chickens;
chickened;
chickening
Britannica Dictionary definition of CHICKEN
chicken out
[phrasal verb]
informal
:
to decide not to do something because you are afraid
-
He was going to ask her on a date, but he chickened out at the last minute.
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