chin

play

noun \ ˈchin \

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

—

chinless

play \-ləs\ adjective

See chin defined for English-language learners

See chin defined for kids

Recent Examples of chin from the Web

Experts say McGregor punches too wide, drops his hands too recklessly and lifts his chin when throwing punches.

— adam kilgore, chicagotribune.com, "Racial conflict sells boxing matches. Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor are its latest pitchmen.," 23 Aug. 2017
Middletown took it on the chin last year with a winless season in arguably one of the toughest conferences around.

— scott springer, Cincinnati.com, "Preview: Colerain continues to top GMC squads," 16 Aug. 2017
DeShields said a pitch hit the cross hanging off his necklace, which hit him in the chin in the first inning.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Andrus’ choices: Opt out, become a Rangers great, or both," 14 Aug. 2017
Putting it on your face is pretty straightforward, but the mask's ear and chin straps take a minute to loop around your ears.

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "Dr. Pimple Popper's New Face Masks Get Rid of Blackheads in a Much Prettier Way," 14 Aug. 2017
Spencer's already built lower to the ground and Big Cat is taller so he's got to learn how to play up under his pads, under his chin line.

— james crepea, AL.com, "Auburn freshman Markaviest Bryant has 'flashed' early in fall camp," 12 Aug. 2017
During the national anthem, Pienaar bit his lip so hard that blood trickled down his chin.

— matt giles, longreads.com, "Remembering Nelson Mandela’s Contribution to Sports," 19 July 2017
Police said he had been shot in the head and the right side of the chin.

— chicago tribune staff, chicagotribune.com, "Man shot to death in Gresham is identified," 17 July 2017
Sachiko DiGusto dabs white foundation along her husband’s chin and down his neck.

— jacob gedetsis, kansascity, "Meet some of KC’s biggest ‘Game of Thrones’ fans — they have the costumes to prove it," 14 July 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.

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

chin

verb

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

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

First Known Use of chin

1869

chin Synonyms

Synonyms

babble, blab, cackle, chaffer [British], chatter, chat [slang], converse, gab, gabble, gas, jabber, jaw, kibitz (also kibbitz), natter, palaver, patter, prate, prattle, rap, rattle, run on, schmooze (or shmooze), talk, twitter, visit

Related Words

gossip, tattle; descant, discuss, expatiate; yak (also yack), yammer, yap

CHIN Defined for English Language Learners

chin

play

noun

Definition of chin for English Language Learners

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

CHIN Defined for Kids

chin

play

noun \ ˈchin \

Definition of chin for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

chin

play

noun \ ˈchin \

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

—

chinless

play \-ləs\ adjective

Learn More about chin

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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chin

Definition of chin

chinless

From the M-W Editors

Recent Examples of chin from the Web

Origin and Etymology of chin

Other Anatomy Terms

chin

Definition of chin

Examples of chin in a Sentence

Recent Examples of chin from the Web

First Known Use of chin

chin Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to CHIN

Related Phrases

CHIN Defined for English Language Learners

chin

Definition of chin for English Language Learners

CHIN Defined for Kids

chin

Definition of chin for Students

Medical Dictionary

chin

medical Definition of chin

chinless

Learn More about chin

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