chin

1 of 2

noun

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 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

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
Chopped right at the chin, her new cut was styled with a middle part, a hint of wave, and a little layering around the face. Marci Robin, Allure, 12 Mar. 2024 Fifteen feet away, she was submerged up to her chin. Susan Dominus, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Loss of Volume in Underlying Bone Structure The cheeks resorb, the chin shrinks, and the underlying cartilage of the nose changes—all adding to the aging process. Dr. Dennis Schimpf, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Best for use where: In addition to on the face, the cream was designed for use on the delicate area between the chin and the chest. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2024 Walton showed very little emotion during the sentencing, stroking his chin and briefly covering his eyes with his left hand. Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 But has the final stretch of a movie ever leaned so heavily on the quivering chin of one actor? Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 Regardless of the technique and what's packed inside, every juicy and tender bite of boudin promises a satisfying—albeit fleeting—sensation of grease dripping down the chin. Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2024 Dylan McDermott went 30 years without eating a croissant, and his first attempt to do so almost resulted in him eating a woman's chin hair. Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024
Verb
Álvarez is compact and chiseled, and carries himself, chin up, like a boxer entering the ring. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2023 Then laughs from the back of the room while Paul sat with his hat on backward, chin up and a slight smirk. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2023 The halo darkened, snuffed, the deceiving tremor of the fitful candle flame, and from brow to chin a split, a splintering, a slash—the icon severed in a shower of fragments, all at once capsized by a deadly smash. Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023 As a young lion, eyes closed, chin up. David Harsanyi, National Review, 2 Feb. 2023 But when done correctly, smoking is a lovely way to pass an evening chinning with a friend or tussling with a bit of writing. Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 16 Feb. 2023 Now chin up and prepare to look your best. Jeremy Helligar, Popular Science, 18 Dec. 2020 Usually chin down and camera up is flattering. Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2020 Now chin up, and get back on that horse. Susan Lacke, Outside Online, 5 Sep. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chin was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near chin

Cite this Entry

“Chin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chin. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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
: the lower portion of the face lying below the lower lip and including the prominence of the lower jaw

called also mentum

chinless adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on chin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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