chic
adjective C1
Plain meaning
stylish and fashionable in a simple way
Exam-register meaning
In academic or exam contexts, it means stylish and fashionable in a simple way, usually in a more formal register.
In context
naturalHis response sounded chic, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a chic assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a chic responsechic behavioura chic situation
Watch out
Do not use “very chic” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
chicness (noun, where natural)chicly (adverb, where natural)