chic

[sheek] /ʃik/

adjective, chicer, chicest.

attractive and fashionable; stylish:

a chic hat.

noun

style and elegance, especially in dress:

Paris clothes have such chic.

stylishness; modishness:

the chic of the firstnighters.

casual and understated style, as in dress or décor, that expresses a specified trendy lifestyle or activity:

Black-rimmed glasses bring some geek chic to your outfit.

Origin

1855-60; < French < German Schick skill

Related forms

chicly, adverb

chicness, noun

superchic, adjective

ultrachic, adjective

Can be confused

chic, chick.

Synonyms

1. smart, elegant, modish.

Pronunciation note

The spelling pronunciation

[chik] /tʃɪk/ (Show IPA) is considered nonstandard except when used facetiously.

Examples from the web for chic

And the place has become more chic and fashionable, so people are building bigger and more complicated houses.
Fashionistas are probably co-opting the pen for some other chic uses.
Within a few years, pixels will be relegated to the world of retro chic.
Emerging designers from all over the world displayed the latest mesh of chic designs and technological innovation.
She helped make pants and shoulder pads much more acceptable and chic.
Shoppers there are looking for clothes that are hip and chic and cool.
So go out on a limb and don one of these ultra-chic pairs to add a little crazy, red-carpet couture to your lashes.
It's hidden in chic boutiques tucked into various neighborhoods.
The island also has abundant shopping, with chic designer boutiques and small shops selling traditional pottery and crafts.
Get into formation this fall and try the latest trend: military chic.

British Dictionary definitions for chic

chic

/ʃiːk; ʃɪk/

adjective

(esp of fashionable clothes, women, etc) stylish or elegant

noun

stylishness, esp in dress; modishness; fashionable good taste

any of various fashion movements based on a particular lifestyle: radical chic, geek chic

Derived Forms

chicly, adverb

Word Origin

C19: from French, of uncertain origin

Word Origin and History for chic

1856, as a noun, "style, artistic skill," from French chic, 19c. in "stylishness" sense, originally "subtlety" (16c.), of unknown origin, perhaps [Klein] related to German Schick "tact, skill," from Middle Low German schikken "arrange appropriately," or Middle High German schicken "to arrange, set in order;" or from French chicane, from chicanerie (see chicanery). The adjectival meaning "stylish" is from 1879 in English, "Not so used in F[rench]." [OED].