chic

1 of 2

noun

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

chic

2 of 2

adjective

chicer; chicest
1
: cleverly stylish : smart
the woman who is chic adapts fashion to her own personalityElizabeth L. Post
2
: currently fashionable
a chic restaurant
chic boutiques
chicly adverb
chicness noun

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 Web
Noun
What happens when a fashion house outlives its founder? Paris Fashion Week has always centered designers from around the world, offering a creative vision of French chic from an outsider perspective, from German designer Karl Lagerfeld to Japanese creatives including Yohji Yamamoto. Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Elena’s outfits — a kind of Alpine-totalitarian chic — convey sexuality intertwined with fearsomeness. James Poniewozik, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 The look is also related (a cousin, maybe) to geek chic, which has been embraced by Kaia Gerber, Sydney Sweeney, and Hunter Schafer, among others, according to Vogue. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2024 Speaking of earthy chic, TAP by Todd Pownell is the Cleveland, Ohio.-based brand by goldsmith Todd Pownell and his wife Debra, whose experience is rooted in the European studio atelier practice and its artisanal jewelry traditions. Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 The essie Nail Polish in off-beat chic is a gorgeous cyan that is actually long-lasting. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2024 Find it on Amazon Everyday Tote Embrace casual chic with Brouk & Co’s Capri Everyday Stripe Tote; this versatile accessory is an everyday gem on Oprah’s favorite things list. Margaret Drake, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2023 The Urban Outfitters Reversible Bathroom Storage Shelf brings extra storage with a touch of industrial chic to your bathroom. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024 Perfect for those who dig a bit of horse-riding chic in their wardrobe. Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2023
Adjective
This particular Day-Date features a 36 mm case in 18-carat yellow gold, a chic champagne dial with baton markers, an elegant fluted bezel, and the iconic President bracelet. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2024 This wishlist—with cult-favorite cookies, utterly chic granola, and luxe cake mixes—is sure to please the gluten-free person in your life. Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appétit, 15 Mar. 2024 The look is less rumpled-in-the-sheets and more minimalist chic. Madeline Fass, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 Her sleek black pointed-toe heels, designed by Louboutin, completed her chic outfit perfectly. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024 Brittany Mahomes modeled a chic canteen-style purse in her latest Instagram post. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 The nautical theme continues at the pool, where chic sun lounges, cabanas, and a bar create a relaxing ambiance. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2024 In the decade leading up to the pandemic, Oakland was making national headlines because so much was going right: Rockridge and other North Oakland neighborhoods had a high-energy nightlife that offered a chic, soulful alternative to San Francisco. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Katie Holmes is looking chic and fabulous in an elegant black gown. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024

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

Etymology

Noun

French

Adjective

probably from attributive use of chic entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chic was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near chic

Cite this Entry

“Chic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chic. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chic

1 of 2 noun
: fashionable style

chic

2 of 2 adjective
chicer; chicest
: stylish, smart
chic clothes

More from Merriam-Webster on chic

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