A1noun1K

Chicken

UK /["/ˈtʃɪkɪn/"]/US /["/ˈtʃɪkɪn/"]/

Definition

a large bird that is often kept for its eggs or meat

In simple words: A common type of bird that people eat.

Examples

  • I had chicken for dinner last night.
  • She prefers chicken over beef.
  • The chicken is running in the yard.
  • Do you want to order grilled chicken?
  • He is afraid of being called a chicken.

Usage notes

Used in everyday conversation to refer to the poultry. Generally appropriate in most contexts, but may be less formal in gourmet dining.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'chick' + 'in' — birds that come home to roost.

Collocations

  • battery
  • broiler
  • corn-fed
  • keep
  • raise
  • kill
  • peck
  • scratch
  • cluck
  • farmer
  • coop
  • run
  • fresh
  • frozen
  • organic
  • piece
  • strip
  • eat
  • have
  • cook
  • breast
  • drumsticks
  • giblets
  • (a) breast of chicken
  • (a) leg of chicken

Synonyms

  • poultry
  • fowl
  • hen
  • broiler
  • chick

Antonyms

  • rooster
  • brave person

Common mistakes

  • Confused with other poultry like turkey or duck.
  • Used incorrectly in plural form, e.g., 'chickens' instead of 'chicken' when referring to the dish.
  • Mispronounced, often as 'chickin' instead of 'chik-en'.