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

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

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 intelligent design provides support from every angle with space to rest your chin or the back of your head without feeling like you’re being pushed forward during your flight. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2024

Your ruling planet, Mars, has been taking it on the chin for the last couple of months in the gradual lead up to its retrograde, which officially begins on December 6. —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Nov. 2024

Verb

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

This sort of confidence, this sort of chest out, chin up. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 6 Oct. 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

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