Definition of chin
1 : the lower portion of the face lying below the lower lip and including the prominence of the lower jaw
2 : the surface beneath or between the branches of the lower jaw
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of chin from the Web
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During the national anthem, Pienaar bit his lip so hard that blood trickled down his chin.
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Police said he had been shot in the head and the right side of the chin.
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The neckline, however, is where lots of guys really screw up: The beard should be full all the way around your jaw and underneath your chin.
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One kept wiping one of his eye sockets; the other had a jagged scar from forehead to chin.
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Voguing is all about telling a story, so chin up and focus on those wrists and fingers.
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Be sure your hat has an under-the-chin tie string, as the wind can whip up fast. •
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Blend over the tip of the nose, surrounding the nostrils, the tip of the chin, and any breakouts or areas of the cheeks that may be ruddy.
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THE CHINA RULE China’s box office is a consistent source of chin-scratchers for Hollywood.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of chin
Middle English, from Old English cinn; akin to Old High German kinni chin, Latin gena cheek, Greek genys jaw, cheek
Other Anatomy Terms
chin
Definition of chin
chinned
;chinning
transitive verb
1 : to bring to or hold with the chin chin a violin
2 : to raise (oneself) while hanging by the hands until the chin is level with the support
intransitive verb
slang : to talk idly
Examples of chin in a Sentence
the kind of work environment in which staffers can knock off early on Friday and chin with the boss
Recent Examples of chin from the Web
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In one drawing, a pair of women and a pair of men sit kibbitzing on benches in Union Square; Katz captures all four physiognomies and expressions—from a querulous, sharp-nosed woman to a sympathetic, shovel-chinned man—with vigilant specificity.
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The only self-explanatory comment on the election came in the form of satire—a sputtering, quadruple-chinned caricature of our president-elect prominently displayed in an artist’s storefront.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of chin
1869
CHIN Defined for English Language Learners
chin
playDefinition of chin for English Language Learners
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: the part of the face below the mouth and above the neck
CHIN Defined for Kids
chin
playDefinition of chin for Students
: the part of the face below the mouth and including the point of the lower jaw
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about chin
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See words that rhyme with chin Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chin Spanish Central: Translation of chin Nglish: Translation of chin for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chin for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chin
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