Chicago

Pronunciation ,

• US IPA: /(t)ʃɪˈkÉ‘.É¡oÊŠ/, /(t)ʃəˈkÉ‘.É¡oÊŠ/ or IPA: /ʃɪˈkÉ”.É¡oÊŠ/, /ʃəˈkÉ”.É¡oÊŠ/
• Chicago accent IPA: /ʃəˈkɑː.É¡oÊŠ/

Origin

From Miami or Potawatomi shikaakwa ("wild onion, leek” or “striped skunk"), via the French transcription Checagou. Compare Ojibwe zhigaagawanzh, zhigaagawinzh ("onion, leek"), zhigaag ("striped skunk").

Full definition of Chicago

Proper noun

1. A large city located on Lake Michigan in northeastern Illinois, USA.

Synonyms

• Chi-Town
  Chitown informal, the Windy City informal, Hogtown US, informal, Shitcago vulgar, derogatory

Derived terms

Usage notes

In Chicago-related contexts, the word "Chicago" is often used to refer to certain attributes conventionally associated with the city, such as being tough and hearty, bustling and diverse, or ruthless and corrupt.

And, in a uniquely Chicago way, it was host for a perpetual, cosmopolitan feast of sights, sounds and smells.

Some of our real police-type deputies set up a deal on him and took him down in just two days. A very Chicago kind of crime, complete with a moral: the police don't tolerate outsiders messing on their turf.

Heavy, filling and very Chicago, Mr. Beef really hops during lunchtime, when dusty construction workers and suit-wearing businessmen crowd in for their meaty fix.