NYT Dictionary

CHICKEN

/ˈt͡ʃɪkən/
NounAdjectiveVerbCHICK-enchick-en · 2 syllablesGrade 3

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2024, 2025

Meaning

A domesticated subspecies of red junglefowl (Gallus gallus domesticus).

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *kukkaz Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Germanic *-īnaz Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn? Proto-Germanic *kukkīną? Old English ċicen Middle English chiken English chicken From Middle English chiken (also as chike > English chick), from Old English ċicen, ċycen (“chicken”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn (“chicken”), or alternatively from Proto-West Germanic *kukkīn, equivalent to cock + -en. Compare North Frisian schückling (“chicken”), Saterland Frisian Sjuuken (“chicken”), Dutch kuiken (“chick, chicken”), German Low German Küken (“chick”), whence German Küken (“chick”), (elevated, obsolete) German Küchlein (“chick”) and Old Norse kjúklingr (“chicken”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

pulletbottlercaitiffcandy-asscandy-arsecoistrilcowardchickenchicken liverchickenshit

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

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