chic

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun elegance by virtue of being fashionable
  2. adjective elegant and stylish

Etymology

Borrowed from French chic (“elegant”), which in turn is probably borrowed from German Schick (“elegant appearance; tasteful presentation”). The word is akin to Dutch schielijk (“hasty”), schikken (“to arrange”) and Old English sċēon (“to happen”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

chicness, chichi, modishness, smartness, stylishness, swank, last word

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