chic

1 of 2

noun

ˈshēk 

1

: smart elegance and sophistication especially of dress or manner : style

wears her clothes with superb chic

2

: a distinctive mode of dress or manner associated with a fashionable lifestyle, ideology, or pursuit

wearing the latest in urban chic

New Age chic

3

: a faddishly popular quality or appeal

also : something (such as a practice or interest) having such appeal

the transient tides of academic chic

—Irving Kristol

chic

2 of 2

adjective

chicer; chicest

1

: cleverly stylish : smart

the woman who is chic adapts fashion to her own personality

—Elizabeth L. Post

2

: currently fashionable

a chic restaurant

chic boutiques

chicly adverb

chicness noun

Synonyms

Noun

• buzz
• craze
• dernier cri
• enthusiasm
• fad
• fashion
• flavor
• go
• hot ticket
• last word
• latest
• mode
• rage
• sensation
• style
• ton
• trend
• vogue

Adjective

• à la mode
• a la mode
• au courant
• cool [slang]
• exclusive
• fashionable
• fresh [slang]
• happening
• hip
• in
• modish
• sharp
• smart
• snappy
• stylish
• supercool
• swell
• swish
• trendy
• voguish

Examples of chic in a Sentence

Noun

It's the height of chic this year.

mockumentaries are the latest filmmaking chic

Adjective

The café has a chic new look.

a chic new hairstyle that makes her look very sophisticated

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But their romantic, hippie aesthetic — what today might be labeled cottage-core, with a touch of bohemian chic — caught on quickly. —Thessaly La Force, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025

Long before the words quiet luxury were ever uttered, The Row established itself as the archetype of anonymous chic. —Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2025

Adjective

They’re designed with a straight-leg silhouette and would look super chic styled with a wool-blend coat or leather trench. —Emily Weaver, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

The huge, determinedly chic La Grande Boucherie, the giant Parisian bistro that’s more than twice the size of most Parisian bistros, is opening in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French

Adjective

probably from attributive use of chic entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing chic

• radical chic

Kids Definition

chic

1 of 2 noun

ˈshēk 

: fashionable style

chic

2 of 2 adjective

chicer; chicest

: stylish, smart

chic clothes