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 of chic

Noun

• trend
• latest
• vogue
• craze
• style
• rage
• fashion
• enthusiasm

Adjective

• stylish
• fashionable
• happening

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

This mini dress gives you the comfort of curling up in your favorite sweatpants and sweatshirt set, while still looking sporty chic. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026

From 1960s Palm Beach chic to dystopian retro-futurism or a madcap style suitable only for Alan Cumming, winning costume designers at this weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys proved sartorial excellence can be achieved in unlimited forms. — Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Adjective

For starters, Emily in Paris fans will be happy to learn that Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, the actress who plays Emily’s effortlessly chic boss, Sylvie Grateau, is trying her hand at another kind of leading role—this time in the visual arts. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Ellis provided her chic evening clutches to roughly a dozen stars, stylish women that included Allison Janney, Jean Smart, Olivia Munn, Carrie Coon and Awkwafina. — Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

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
• shabby 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