chic

1 of 2

noun

ˈshēk 

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 personality

—Elizabeth L. Post

2

: currently fashionable

a chic restaurant

chic boutiques

chicly adverb

chicness noun

Synonyms

Noun

• buzz
• craze
• dernier cri
• enthusiasm
• fad
• fashion
• flavor
• go
• hot ticket
• last word
• latest
• mode
• rage
• sensation
• style
• ton
• trend
• vogue

Adjective

• à la mode
• a la mode
• au courant
• cool [slang]
• exclusive
• fashionable
• fresh [slang]
• happening
• hip
• in
• modish
• sharp
• smart
• snappy
• stylish
• supercool
• swell
• swish
• trendy
• voguish

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

Longview’s design is an homage to Park Slope’s leafy charms and the industrial chic of Gowanus. —Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

New sneaker launches: Miu Miu’s take on sporty chic and Balenciaga’s Puma collaboration, which merges luxury with streetwear. —Sandra Salibian, WWD, 17 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Please be advised that the dress code is either pastel-Easter-egg chic or ripped black shreds and absolutely nothing in between. —Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025

The brand is nothing short of chic—from their knee-high boots to square-toe flats and strappy sandals. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 22 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing chic

• radical chic

Rhymes for chic

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek
• leak

Kids Definition

chic

1 of 2 noun

ˈshēk 

: fashionable style

chic

2 of 2 adjective

chicer; chicest

: stylish, smart

chic clothes