"Chick" is slang for a woman. It is dated and often offensive. In the 1950s and 1960s, it was common. "Chick flick" meant a movie for women. "Chick lit" meant a book for women. The word comes from "chicken," which has been slang for a young woman since the 1300s. It is not a compliment. It reduces a woman to a bird, a thing. Many women find it demeaning.

The word is not always hostile. Some women use it jokingly. Some men use it without thinking. But it carries a history of sexism. It is not neutral like "guy." There is no male equivalent with the same baggage. "Dude" is casual. "Chick" is diminishing. The difference matters.

Related terms

• Chick flick: a movie stereotypically for women.
• Chick lit: a genre of popular fiction for women.
• Broad: older slang, also offensive.
• Gal: informal, less offensive, but dated.

Language changes. Words that were once common become taboo. "Chick" is on that path. Younger people use it less. It sounds like a bad joke. If you are unsure, do not use it. Say "woman." It is accurate. It is respectful. It does not carry a beak. That is the better choice.