chicken
gb/t͡ʃˈɪkən/ us/t͡ʃˈɪkən/
A1
English
~ 3700
tyúk, csirke, házityúk, csirkehús, gyáva, gyáva nyúl, nyuszi
NOUN
A1
1
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] chicken
We had roast chicken for dinner last night.
Tegnap este sült csirkét ettünk vacsorára.
The farmer keeps over a hundred chickens in the coop.
A gazda több mint száz tyúkot tart a tyúkólban.
Chicken is one of the most popular meats worldwide.
The recipe calls for two cups of cooked chicken.
They raise chickens organically on their small farm.
Learner examples
The chicken is in the yard.
A tyúk az udvaron van.
We eat chicken on Sundays.
Vasárnaponként csirkét eszünk.
My uncle has many chickens.
I like chicken soup.
The chicken lays eggs.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'chicken' (the animal or meat) with 'hen' (female) or 'rooster' (male).
Meaning
A farm bird kept for food
Collocations
roast chicken
|fried chicken
|chicken farm
|chicken coop
|chicken soup
Synonyms
hen (Refers specifically to an adult female chicken.)
Themes
food
|animals
|farming
|daily life
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
A bird that people keep for its eggs and meat.
A domesticated bird kept for its eggs and meat, especially the common species Gallus gallus domesticus.
NOUN
A1
2
Usage pattern:
eat [some] chicken
She ordered chicken with rice.
Csirkét rendelt rizzsel.
I prefer chicken to beef.
Jobban szeretem a csirkét, mint a marhahúst.
We had grilled chicken at the barbecue.
The chicken is tender and juicy.
This soup is made with fresh chicken.
Learner examples
I eat chicken every day.
Mindennap csirkét eszem.
We have chicken for lunch.
Ebédre csirkét eszünk.
He cooks chicken in the oven.
Chicken is my favorite meat.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse countable and uncountable usage; 'chickens' refers to animals, 'chicken' (no plural) is the meat.
Meaning
Meat from a chicken
Collocations
grilled chicken
|chicken sandwich
|chicken curry
|chicken salad
Synonyms
poultry (General term for domestic bird meat; more formal and broader than 'chicken'.)
Themes
food
|cooking
|food_drink
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Meat from a chicken that people eat.
The flesh of a chicken, used as food.
NOUN
B1
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
call [someone] a chicken
Don't be such a chicken—just jump in!
Ne légy már ilyen nyuszi – ugorj be!
He was too much of a chicken to ask her out.
Túl gyáva volt ahhoz, hogy randira hívja.
They're calling me a chicken because I won't try skydiving.
Learner examples
You are a chicken if you don't try it.
Gyáva vagy, ha meg sem próbálod.
He is a chicken when he sees spiders.
Gyáva, ha pókokat lát.
Don't be a chicken. Come with us.
Common mistake:
Learners may mistakenly think this refers to the animal literally rather than as slang for a person.
Meaning
A cowardly person
Collocations
don't be a chicken
|such a chicken
Synonyms
coward (More formal and direct; can be harsher in tone.)
Antonyms
brave person (Direct opposite; someone who shows courage.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
An informal word for a person who is afraid to do something.
An informal term for someone who is easily scared or lacks bravery.
Grammar
Dictionary form
chicken
IPA
GB/t͡ʃˈɪkən/
US/t͡ʃˈɪkən/
Syllables & stress
chick - en (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (chick)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: chicken
- Plural: chicken, chickens
Word family
Expressions
chicken out
1/t͡ʃˈɪkən ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
informal
Back out due to fear
To decide not to do something because you are scared.
Examples
- He was going to try bungee jumping but chickened out at the last minute.
- She chickened out of giving the speech.
like a headless chicken
1/lˈaɪk ə hˈɛdləs t͡ʃˈɪkən/
idiom
informal
Act confused and rushed
To be very busy but not organized or effective.
Examples
- She was running around like a headless chicken before the guests arrived.
- I've been like a headless chicken all day trying to get ready.
play chicken
1/plˈeɪ t͡ʃˈɪkən/
idiom
informal
Engage in a risky standoff
To do something dangerous to see who will stop first, often to show bravery.
Examples
- The two drivers were playing chicken on the highway.
- Politicians are playing chicken with the budget deadline.