chin

1 of 2

noun

ˈchin 

plural chins

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

ˈchin-ləs 

adjective

see also take it on the chin

chin

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms

Verb

• chat
• jaw
• converse
• talk

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

The quarterback might touch the $1,000 poker chip or tap his chin or touch his black chips to indicate who at the table had the best hand. —Rob Wile, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025

Then the clip cuts to Van Gogh happily posing with his gray-and-pink fluffy crocheted ears, which are secured with a bow below his chin. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

Verb

When: Before stepping into any space that demands your presence. How: Assume the hero stance: shoulders back, chin up, feet firm. —Johan Martinez-Khalilian, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025

The cover—a monochrome portrait of Jobs, closed hand to chin, with a multicolor Fortune logo layered over it—has become an instantly recognizable icon of tech. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English cinn; akin to Old High German kinni chin, Latin gena cheek, Greek genys jaw, cheek

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1869, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing chin

• chin music
• chin-up
• chin-wag
• double chin
• keep one's chin up
• take it on the chin

Rhymes for chin

• been
• bin
• din
• djinn
• fin
• finn
• gin
• grin
• in
• kin
• linn
• linne

Kids Definition

chin

noun

ˈchin

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

Medical Definition

chin

noun

ˈchin 

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

called also mentum

chinless

-ləs 

adjective