chin

\ ˈchin

How to pronounce chin (audio)

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Definition of chin

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

chin

chinned; chinning

Definition of chin (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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Examples of chin in a Sentence

Verb the kind of work environment in which staffers can knock off early on Friday and chin with the boss

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Her face is lightly made up, her chin-length hair tucked neatly behind her ears. — Chloe Malle, Marie Claire, "The Rise of Daisy Ridley," 12 Nov. 2019 The second-year pro crushed one in a pileup against the Packers, bent a second one earlier this season in practice and broke the chin strap off a third one in Green Bay. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions teammates call Nick Bawden a 'maniac.' Here's the evidence," 1 Nov. 2019 The suspect is described as a white, skinny male, approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with black chin-length hair. — Rafa Farihah, Houston Chronicle, "Man dubbed 'routine robber' gets 4 years for bank heists," 28 Oct. 2019 Ellis told the small, quiet woman with chin-length black hair streaked white. — Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, "‘A one-woman crime spree’: Con woman charmed boxers, executives and manicurists," 25 Oct. 2019 The chin length ‘do is parted to the side with some of the strands teased out and adding volume. — Shalwah Evans, Essence, "Gabrielle Union Stuns On Instagram With Bold New Hair Color," 26 Sep. 2019 Mold was found in 35 Howard County public schools during the 2018-19 academic year. , ranging from growths on drywall to the chin straps of athletic helmets. — Jess Nocera, baltimoresun.com, "Mold found in 35 Howard County public schools in past 11 months," 23 July 2019 They were soon joined by two other longtime activists and RIC members: Allan Armstrong, whose deep voice emphasized his thick Scottish accent, and Pat Smith, a woman with chin-length silver hair and a warm demeanor that easily turned to laughter. — Rebecca Nathanson, Harper's magazine, "English Referendums and Scotch Voters," 19 June 2019 The driver had a swollen lip and blood on his chin. — Brian Lisik, cleveland, "Passenger punches driver, caught with pot: Brunswick Police Blotter," 4 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The magazine covers are photographed artfully chin-down, so Rachel Karten started taking photos of staffers around the office completing the cover with their own faces. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, "A Beefy Stir-Fry That Requires Only the Laziest Knifework," 19 Oct. 2019 In the Bay Area, and particularly in Contra Costa County, six hummingbird species are regular visitors to our backyard feeders — the Costa’s, Anna’s, Calliope, Allen’s, rufous and black-chinned. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Identifying hummingbirds that visit Bay Area backyards," 26 July 2019 Summer species include Northern bobwhite, black-chinned hummingbird and spotted towhee. — Houston Chronicle, "Top birding spots around Texas," 10 May 2018 Summer species include Northern bobwhite, black-chinned hummingbird and spotted towhee. — Houston Chronicle, "Top birding spots around Texas," 10 May 2018 Backyard birders are likely to encounter several species of hummingbirds in San Diego, including Anna’s, black-chinned, Costa’s, Rufous and Allen’s. — Ernie Cowan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Hummingbirds will amuse as they fly in for your feeder," 14 Sep. 2017 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. — The New Yorker, "Alex Katz," 22 May 2017 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. — Pilar Guzmán, Condé Nast Traveler, "Editor's Letter: Why Travelers Make the Best Diplomats," 17 Jan. 2017

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.

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Last Updated

13 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Chin.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chin. Accessed 15 December 2019.

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More Definitions for chin

chin

noun

English Language Learners Definition of chin

: the part of the face below the mouth and above the neck

See the full definition for chin in the English Language Learners Dictionary

chin

\ ˈchin

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Kids Definition of chin

: the part of the face below the mouth and including the point of the lower jaw

chin

\ ˈchin

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Medical Definition of chin

: the lower portion of the face lying below the lower lip and including the prominence of the lower jaw

— called also mentum

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WORD OF THE DAY

delectation

delight or enjoyment

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