chivy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, somewhat dated or literary
Quick answer
What does “chivy” mean?
To pursue, harass, or nag someone persistently.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To pursue, harass, or nag someone persistently.
To hurry, rush, or chivvy along; to drive, urge, or press forward, often in an annoying or persistent manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and current in British English (often as 'chivvy'). In American English, it is rare and considered somewhat archaic or literary.
Connotations
In British English, it often has a lighter, more domestic connotation (e.g., nagging a child). In American English, it leans more toward archaic or literary 'harassment/pursuit'.
Frequency
Used occasionally in British journalism and informal speech. Very infrequent in American corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “chivy” in a Sentence
SVO: She chivvied the children.SVOA: He chivvied the committee into a decision.SVOprepA: They chivvied us out of the house.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chivy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Mum had to chivvy us out the door for school.
- The manager is always chivvying the team about deadlines.
- I'll chivvy the paperwork along.
American English
- The sheriff chivied the outlaw through the canyon. (archaic/literary)
- She refused to be chivied into a quick response.
adverb
British English
- No common adverb form.
American English
- No common adverb form.
adjective
British English
- No common adjective form.
American English
- No common adjective form.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in informal management: 'We need to chivvy the suppliers for those figures.'
Academic
Very rare, except in historical/literary analysis.
Everyday
Informal, typically in family/domestic contexts or light-hearted complaint.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chivy”
- Confusing it with 'chive' (the herb).
- Using it for serious persecution rather than minor nagging.
- Misspelling (chivy vs. chivvy).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Chivy' often involves hurrying someone or pushing them into action, while 'nag' focuses more on persistent fault-finding or repetitive requests. They overlap significantly.
It is not common, especially in American English. In British English, 'chivvy' is used occasionally in informal speech and writing.
Both are correct. 'Chivvy' is the more frequent spelling in modern British English, while 'chivy' is often listed first in American dictionaries.
Rarely. It almost always carries a connotation of mild irritation or unwanted pressure, even if the outcome is beneficial (e.g., 'chivvied into success').
To pursue, harass, or nag someone persistently.
Chivy is usually informal, somewhat dated or literary in register.
Chivy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪvi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪvi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chivvy along”
- “chivvy up”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CHEEKY VYPER (viper) constantly nipping at your heels to hurry you up – that's to CHIVY.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARASSMENT IS PHYSICAL PURSUIT (to dog someone's heels).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'chivy' (or 'chivvy') MOST appropriately used?