1
: smart elegance and sophistication especially of dress or manner : style
wears her clothes with superb chic
2
: a distinctive mode of dress or manner associated with a fashionable lifestyle, ideology, or pursuit
wearing the latest in urban chic
New Age chic
3
: a faddishly popular quality or appeal
also
: something (such as a practice or interest) having such appeal
the transient tides of academic chic —
Irving Kristol
Irving Kristol
chicer; chicest
1
: cleverly stylish : smart
the woman who is chic adapts fashion to her own personality—Elizabeth L. Post
Elizabeth L. Post2
: currently fashionable
a chic restaurant
chic boutiques
chicly
adverb
chicness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of chic in a Sentence
Noun
It's the height of chic this year.
mockumentaries are the latest filmmaking chic
Adjective
The café has a chic new look.
a chic new hairstyle that makes her look very sophisticated
Recent Examples on the WebKerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Oct. 2023
Grab chunky jewelry and oversized sunglasses for boho chic or sneakers and a belt bag for a more athletic look.
—Rachael Green, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2023
The Goop founder leaned into the après ski chic, wearing neutral sweaters, long pleated skirts, and sleek suits.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 13 Nov. 2023
The decor epitomizes Scandinavian chic, with light-wood paneling, contemporary furniture, and a simple palette.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2023
Early photos reveal a bohemian chic of sorts — leather jackets paired with tees, oversized sweaters, boxy shirts, and tailoring all cast in a shade of midnight black.
—Kyle Lamar Rice, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2023
Relaxed luxury with notes of African chic give the Thompson an easy yet elegant feel.
—Essence, 25 Oct. 2023
This lush modern mid-century riot of luxury, inspired by the tropical aesthetic of the Bond film Thunderball and the sleek contemporary chic of the film Ex Machina, is the team’s most audacious gamble to date.
—Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Oct. 2023
Plants were a natural candidate to be remade by the mania for rustic chic.
—Steven Kurutz, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2023
Carina Finn, Bon Appétit, 13 Nov. 2023
Located in the chic Le Marais neighborhood, a gathering point of intellectuals during the French Enlightenment period, Le Grand Mazarin (nightly rates from $739) is housed in three historic buildings at the corner of Rue des Archives and Rue de la Verrerie.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 13 Nov. 2023
Book a stay at a chic hotel like the historic Hotel Monteleone, tasteful Peter & Paul, or glitzy Four Seasons.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2023
Biles looked chic in a white blazer and a black mini dress with black boots.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 11 Nov. 2023
Whitney and Asher have bet their whole, over-leveraged house of cards — shockingly, the economics of chic designer homes in an under-resourced area don’t quite pencil out — on their show’s success, but Dougie, too, needs a win.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Nov. 2023
For the multitasker Part of the new black-denim line from Coach, this chic bag is also crazy practical.
—Sarah Grossbart, wsj.com, 9 Nov. 2023
As usual, Ashley looked incredibly chic in her off-duty look yesterday.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2023
Tracee Ellis Ross Wears Harbison Studio And Brandon Maxwell
Fashion icon Tracee Ellis Ross, known for her daring yet chic personal style, showcased a merge of Harbison Studio and Brandon Maxwell for her spread in the Travel + Leisure, styled by duo Dani + Emma.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 1 Nov. 2023
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Noun
Hilaire says millennials just dress it up a bit with dress shirts for going out, and the business casual club chic that was really popular in the late aughts.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Oct. 2023
Grab chunky jewelry and oversized sunglasses for boho chic or sneakers and a belt bag for a more athletic look.
—Rachael Green, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2023
The Goop founder leaned into the après ski chic, wearing neutral sweaters, long pleated skirts, and sleek suits.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 13 Nov. 2023
The decor epitomizes Scandinavian chic, with light-wood paneling, contemporary furniture, and a simple palette.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2023
Early photos reveal a bohemian chic of sorts — leather jackets paired with tees, oversized sweaters, boxy shirts, and tailoring all cast in a shade of midnight black.
—Kyle Lamar Rice, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2023
Relaxed luxury with notes of African chic give the Thompson an easy yet elegant feel.
—Essence, 25 Oct. 2023
This lush modern mid-century riot of luxury, inspired by the tropical aesthetic of the Bond film Thunderball and the sleek contemporary chic of the film Ex Machina, is the team’s most audacious gamble to date.
—Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Oct. 2023
Plants were a natural candidate to be remade by the mania for rustic chic.
—Steven Kurutz, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2023
Adjective
The calendar itself has a gorgeous blue and silver winter wonderland design, and the little cotton tea bags are both chic and eco-friendly.
—Carina Finn, Bon Appétit, 13 Nov. 2023
Located in the chic Le Marais neighborhood, a gathering point of intellectuals during the French Enlightenment period, Le Grand Mazarin (nightly rates from $739) is housed in three historic buildings at the corner of Rue des Archives and Rue de la Verrerie.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 13 Nov. 2023
Book a stay at a chic hotel like the historic Hotel Monteleone, tasteful Peter & Paul, or glitzy Four Seasons.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2023
Biles looked chic in a white blazer and a black mini dress with black boots.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 11 Nov. 2023
Whitney and Asher have bet their whole, over-leveraged house of cards — shockingly, the economics of chic designer homes in an under-resourced area don’t quite pencil out — on their show’s success, but Dougie, too, needs a win.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Nov. 2023
For the multitasker Part of the new black-denim line from Coach, this chic bag is also crazy practical.
—Sarah Grossbart, wsj.com, 9 Nov. 2023
As usual, Ashley looked incredibly chic in her off-duty look yesterday.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2023
Tracee Ellis Ross Wears Harbison Studio And Brandon Maxwell
Fashion icon Tracee Ellis Ross, known for her daring yet chic personal style, showcased a merge of Harbison Studio and Brandon Maxwell for her spread in the Travel + Leisure, styled by duo Dani + Emma.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 1 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing chic
Dictionary Entries Near chic
Cite this Entry
“Chic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on chic
Nglish: Translation of chic for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of chic for Arabic Speakers
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