Chickenhearted — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈchi-kən-ˌhär-təd/ chick·en·heart·ed

Meaning & Definition of Chickenhearted

Chickenhearted (adjective)

  1. timid, cowardly

Chickenhearted (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing a shameful lack of courage

    "too chickenhearted to speak up, even though she knew a terrible injustice was being committed"

    similar: chicken, chicken-livered, 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 Chickenhearted

The most common words with a similar meaning to Chickenhearted:

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

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Chickenhearted

Words with the opposite meaning of Chickenhearted:

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

Related Words for Chickenhearted

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

Near Antonyms of Chickenhearted

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

Origin & Etymology of Chickenhearted

First known use: 1629

Frequently Asked Questions about Chickenhearted

What does "Chickenhearted" mean?

"Chickenhearted" means timid, cowardly. As an adjective, it is defined as: timid, cowardly.

What is another word for "Chickenhearted"?

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

What are different ways to say "Chickenhearted"?

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

What is the opposite of "Chickenhearted"?

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

How do you use "Chickenhearted" in a sentence?

Examples of "Chickenhearted" in a sentence: "too chickenhearted to speak up, even though she knew a terrible injustice was being committed".

Is "Chickenhearted" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Chickenhearted" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Chickenhearted"?

"Chickenhearted" is pronounced /ˈchi-kən-ˌhär-təd/ and divided into syllables as chick·en·heart·ed.

What is the origin of the word "Chickenhearted"?

First known use: 1629.