chick flick: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal
Quick answer
What does “chick flick” mean?
A film genre designed to appeal primarily to a female audience.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A film genre designed to appeal primarily to a female audience.
A movie that focuses on romance, relationships, and emotional themes, often featuring female protagonists and aimed at women viewers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally common and understood in both dialects with identical meaning.
Connotations
In both regions, it carries a lighthearted, informal, and sometimes stereotypical connotation. It is rarely used in formal film criticism.
Frequency
Slightly more common in US pop culture discourse, but widely used in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “chick flick” in a Sentence
watch a ~a ~ about [romance/friendship]describe something as a ~be in the mood for a ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chick flick” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We're planning to chick-flick-it tonight with a box set.
American English
- The network decided to chick-flick their Friday lineup.
adverb
British English
- The film ended chick-flickily with a wedding.
American English
- It was chick-flick predictable.
adjective
British English
- It had a very chick-flick vibe to it.
American English
- The plot was totally chick-flick material.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; in film/TV marketing, more specific terms like 'romantic drama' or 'female-targeted content' are preferred.
Academic
Used informally in cultural/media studies, often in quotes; formal analysis uses 'romance genre' or 'women's cinema'.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about films and entertainment.
Technical
Not a technical cinematic term; used in informal reviews and audience discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chick flick”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chick flick”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chick flick”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Applying it to any film with a female lead (it's about theme and target audience, not just cast).
- Spelling as 'chickflick' (usually two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be perceived as mildly dismissive or stereotyping, reducing films aimed at women to a simplistic category. It's best used in informal, light-hearted contexts among friends, not in formal analysis.
Absolutely. While the term describes the target audience, many men enjoy these films. The genre is defined by themes, not by who is allowed to watch.
A 'rom-com' (romantic comedy) is a specific sub-genre focused on humour and romance. A 'chick flick' is a broader, informal category that can include romantic dramas, tearjerkers, and female friendship stories, not all of which are comedies.
No. Films like 'Alien' or 'Kill Bill' have strong female leads but are action/sci-fi, not chick flicks. The term refers to theme (romance, emotion) and intended audience, not just the gender of the protagonist.
A film genre designed to appeal primarily to a female audience.
Chick flick is usually informal in register.
Chick flick: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪk flɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪk flɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A real chick flick.”
- “It's chick flick night.”
- “Chick flick material.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'chick' (slang for a young woman) and 'flick' (slang for a film). A film for chicks.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FILM IS A GENDERED PRODUCT (targeted at women).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is NOT typically a characteristic of a 'chick flick'?