Chicken-livered — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈchi-kən-ˌli-vərd/ chick·en-liv·ered

Meaning & Definition of Chicken-livered

Chicken-livered (adjective)

  1. fainthearted, cowardly

Chicken-livered (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing a shameful lack of courage

    "a chicken-livered newspaper editor who has been afraid to take on the town's powerful business elite"

    similar: chicken, chickenhearted, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered (archaic), poltroon, pusillanimous, recreant, spineless, unheroic, yellow
    related: diffident, fainthearted, fearful, timid, timorous, afraid, frightened, scared, careful, cautious, wary, bashful, coy, shy, feeble, soft, unmanly, weak
    opposite: brave, courageous, daring, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, hardy, heroic, intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, valiant, valorous
    near: audacious, bold, brazen, cheeky, nervy, plucky, spirited, spunky, determined, resolute

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Chicken-livered

The most common words with a similar meaning to Chicken-livered:

Archaic: milk-livered
chicken, chickenhearted, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, poltroon, pusillanimous, recreant, spineless, unheroic, yellow

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Chicken-livered

Words with the opposite meaning of Chicken-livered:

brave, courageous, daring, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, hardy, heroic, intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, valiant, valorous

Related Words for Chicken-livered

diffident, fainthearted, fearful, timid, timorous, afraid, frightened, scared, careful, cautious, wary, bashful, coy, shy, feeble, soft, unmanly, weak

Near Antonyms of Chicken-livered

audacious, bold, brazen, cheeky, nervy, plucky, spirited, spunky, determined, resolute

Origin & Etymology of Chicken-livered

First known use: 1804

Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken-livered

What does "Chicken-livered" mean?

"Chicken-livered" means fainthearted, cowardly. As an adjective, it is defined as: fainthearted, cowardly.

What is another word for "Chicken-livered"?

Other words for "Chicken-livered" include chicken, chickenhearted, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered and milk-livered. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Chicken-livered" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Chicken-livered"?

There are 32 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Chicken-livered". Common alternatives include chicken, chickenhearted, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered, poltroon and pusillanimous.

What is the opposite of "Chicken-livered"?

Antonyms of "Chicken-livered" include brave, courageous, daring, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant and greathearted. Near antonyms include audacious, bold, brazen and cheeky.

How do you use "Chicken-livered" in a sentence?

Examples of "Chicken-livered" in a sentence: "a chicken-livered newspaper editor who has been afraid to take on the town's powerful business elite".

Is "Chicken-livered" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Chicken-livered" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Chicken-livered"?

"Chicken-livered" is pronounced /ˈchi-kən-ˌli-vərd/ and divided into syllables as chick·en-liv·ered.

What is the origin of the word "Chicken-livered"?

First known use: 1804.