chicken feed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, often figurative and idiomatic.
Quick answer
What does “chicken feed” mean?
A very small or insignificant amount of money.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very small or insignificant amount of money; something of trivial value.
1. Literally: food for chickens. 2. Figuratively: an amount so small it is almost worthless, often used in business/finance to describe trivial sums.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in meaning and frequency. No significant regional variation.
Connotations
Slightly derogatory or dismissive; implies the amount is insultingly small.
Frequency
Moderately common in both varieties, primarily in spoken and informal written contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “chicken feed” in a Sentence
be + chicken feedconsider + something + chicken feedpay + someone + chicken feedbe + chicken feed + compared to/with + somethingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chicken feed” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- a chicken-feed salary
- chicken-feed costs
American English
- a chicken-feed offer
- chicken-feed fines
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe an insignificant profit, salary, or transaction cost. (e.g., 'The commission was chicken feed compared to the effort.')
Academic
Rare; may appear in economic or sociological texts discussing wage inequality in metaphorical terms.
Everyday
Used to complain about low pay or to dismiss a small amount of money. (e.g., 'They offered me £50 for all that work—it's chicken feed!')
Technical
Not used in technical senses outside of literal poultry farming.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chicken feed”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chicken feed”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chicken feed”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'chicken feeds').
- Using it to describe non-monetary trivial things (less common).
- Confusing with 'chicken scratch' (poor handwriting).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily for money. It can occasionally metaphorically extend to anything trivial in value, but monetary use is dominant.
It can be dismissive or derogatory towards the amount of money, but not generally towards a person. Context matters.
It literally means food (often grain or pellets) given to chickens.
Use it as an uncountable noun, typically after a verb like 'be', 'pay', or 'consider'. E.g., 'The payment was chicken feed.'
A very small or insignificant amount of money.
Chicken feed is usually informal, often figurative and idiomatic. in register.
Chicken feed: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪkɪn fiːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪkən fid/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Be (just) chicken feed.”
- “Pay chicken feed.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a billionaire trying to pay you with a handful of grain meant for chickens instead of proper money.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS FOOD / UNIMPORTANT THINGS ARE ANIMAL FOOD.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'chicken feed' used CORRECTLY?