chiffchaff

noun

chiff·​chaff ˈchif-ˌchaf How to pronounce chiffchaff (audio)
: a small grayish European warbler (Phylloscopus collybita)

Word History

Etymology

imitative

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chiffchaff was in 1780

Rhymes for chiffchaff

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Browse Nearby Words

chiff
chiffchaff
chiffer
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Cite this Entry

“Chiffchaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chiffchaff. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chiffchaff

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chiffchaff

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