CHIRK

chirk

(verb) make a shrill creaking, squeaking, or noise, as of a door, mouse, or bird

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

chirk (third-person singular simple present chirks, present participle chirking, simple past and past participle chirked)

(intransitive, especially as "chirk up") To become happier.

(transitive, especially as "chirk up") To make happier.

To make the sound of a bird; to chirp.

Adjective

chirk (comparative chirker or more chirk, superlative chirkest or most chirk)

(colloquial, US, chiefly, New England) lively; cheerful; in good spirits

Usage notes

• The comparative and superlative forms of chirky — chirkier and chirkiest — are sometimes used suppletively as comparative and superlative forms of chirk.

Proper noun

Chirk

A small town in the Wrexham, Wales (OS grid ref SJ2937).

Source: Wiktionary


Chirk, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Chirp, also Creak.]

1. To shriek; to gnash; to utter harsh or shrill cries. [Obs.] All full of chirkyng was that sorry place. Cheucer.

2. To chirp like a bird. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Chirk, v. t.

Definition: To cheer; to enliven; as, to chirk one up. [Colloq. New Eng. ]

Chirk, a. Etym: [From Chirk, v. i.]

Definition: Lively; cheerful; in good spirits. [Colloq. New Eng.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

22 February 2025

ANALYSIS

(noun) the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g., ‘the father of the bride’ instead of ‘the bride’s father’


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Coffee starts as a yellow berry, changes into a red berry, and then is picked by hand to harvest. The red berry is de-shelled through a water soaking process and what’s left inside is the green coffee bean. This bean then dries in the sun for 3-5 days, where it is then packed and ready for sale.

coffee icon