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



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Word of the Day

29 May 2025

CRITICAL

(adjective) characterized by careful evaluation and judgment; “a critical reading”; “a critical dissertation”; “a critical analysis of Melville’s writings”


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