Find Synonyms
chicken Synonyms
Another word for chicken
Choosing another word for chicken depends on context, so the 27 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 4 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
• noun (Context 1)
A widespread domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) kept primarily for its eggs and meat.
Usage Example
"The farmer goes out to the coop every morning to feed the chickens."
Strongest
chook
Strong
fowl
hen
rooster
Weak
cockerel
pullet
• noun (Context 2)
The meat of a domestic fowl, prepared and consumed as food.
Usage Example
"We are roasting a poultry with potatoes and herbs for dinner tonight."
Strong
poultry
fowl
• noun (Context 3)
A coward; a person who lacks the courage to do something dangerous or difficult.
Usage Example
"He called me a coward when I refused to jump from the high diving board."
Strongest
coward
wimp
scaredy-cat
Strong
fraidy-cat
weakling
sissy
poltroon
craven
milksop
Weak
dastard
• verb (Context 4)
To lose one's nerve or courage, often resulting in abandoning a planned action (usually used with 'out').
Usage Example
"She wanted to ask for a promotion but chickened out at the last minute."
Strongest
wimp out
back out
wuss out
lose nerve
get cold feet
Strong
back down
flinch
quail
funk
Weak
cower
Opposites of chicken
The opposite of chicken shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
follow through
hero
stand firm
persevere
brave
lionheart
daredevil
face up to
• Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Chicken. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 10, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/chicken