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Chivy, which is also spelled chivvy, became established in our language in the 19th century and, at first, meant "to harass or chase." Early usage examples are of people chivying a chicken around to catch it and of a person chivying around food that is frying. The verb comes from a British noun chivy meaning "chase" or "hunt." That chivy is believed to be derived from Chevy Chase—a term for "chase" or "confusion" that is taken from the name of a ballad describing the 1388 battle of Otterburn between the Scottish and English. (A chase in this context is an unenclosed tract of land that is used as a game preserve.)
Examples of chivy in a Sentence
Rory Smith, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2023
For smaller losses, says David Gluckman, Lumkani’s boss, policyholders often have to be chivvied into claiming.
—The Economist, 22 Aug. 2019
Abloh had booked a club and chivvied the throng to get down there.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Chivy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chivy. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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