chicane: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “chicane” mean?
A sharp double bend on a motor racing track, designed to slow down vehicles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sharp double bend on a motor racing track, designed to slow down vehicles; also, the use of trickery or deception in an argument.
In its primary sporting sense, a chicane is a sequence of tight corners on a track, forcing a change in speed and direction. In a figurative and less common sense, it refers to trickery, sophistry, or verbal deception intended to gain an unfair advantage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'trickery' sense is slightly more recognized in British English due to historical usage (e.g., in legal contexts like 'chicanery'), but is still rare. The motorsport sense is dominant and identical in both varieties.
Connotations
The motorsport sense is neutral and technical. The 'trickery' sense carries a strongly negative connotation of underhandedness.
Frequency
Overall low frequency. The motorsport term is common in relevant contexts (F1, motorsport journalism). The 'trickery' sense is very rare in everyday use; 'chicanery' is the more common noun for that concept.
Grammar
How to Use “chicane” in a Sentence
to chicane [sb] (out of sth) - archaic/legalVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chicane” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old statute was used to chicane tenants out of their rights.
- He accused them of chicaning their way through the legal loopholes.
American English
- The lawyer was adept at chicaning the opposition. (archaic)
adverb
British English
- N/A. No standard adverb form.
American English
- N/A. No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- N/A. No standard adjective form. 'Chicane' is not used as an adjective.
American English
- N/A. No standard adjective form. 'Chicane' is not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used. The related term 'chicanery' might appear in contexts of fraud or deceptive practices.
Academic
Possible in literary or legal history texts for the 'trickery' sense. In sports science or engineering for the physical sense.
Everyday
Virtually unused unless discussing motorsport. Likely unknown to general speakers for its 'trickery' meaning.
Technical
Standard terminology in motorsport (F1, MotoGP), track design, and racing simulation games.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chicane”
- Misspelling as 'chickane' or 'chicaine'.
- Confusing it with the adjective 'chic' (stylish).
- Using the 'trickery' sense in casual conversation where it would be misunderstood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are false friends. 'Chic' (/ʃiːk/) is a French loanword meaning stylish. 'Chicane' (/ʃɪˈkeɪn/) is also from French but originally related to 'quarrel' or 'trickery', and later to an obstacle in horseracing and motorsport.
'Chicanery' is the far more common word for the meaning of 'trickery or deception.' 'Chicane' as 'trickery' is an archaic/formal variant. 'Chicane' is the standard term for the motorsport obstacle.
Yes, but it is extremely rare and archaic. It means 'to deceive using trickery' (e.g., 'to chicane someone out of their inheritance'). You are very unlikely to encounter or need to use the verb form.
Yes, that is perfectly correct when referring to multiple sequential tight corners or obstacles on a racetrack or road course.
A sharp double bend on a motor racing track, designed to slow down vehicles.
Chicane is usually formal / technical in register.
Chicane: in British English it is pronounced /ʃɪˈkeɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃɪˈkeɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Related idiom: 'full of chicanery'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CHICane on a racetrack: it's a CHIC (stylish/fancy) but very difficult ANE (lane) to navigate.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS A ROAD / DECEPTION IS AN OBSTACLE. E.g., 'His argument was full of chicanes,' implying deceptive twists designed to trip you up.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'chicane' most commonly used today?