chivvy in English
- chivvy⇄chivvy, verb, -vied,-vying,noun, pl.-vies.
- chivvy⇄noun chevy.
- chivvy⇄v.i. 1. to chevy; scamper.
2. (Figurative.) to worry; nag. - chivvy⇄v.t. 1. to chase.
Ex. ... clients who have just been chivvied abruptly out of their rightful train (Punch). She [the ship] came ... with an armada of boats and aircraft to chivvy her along (Manchester Guardian Weekly).
2. (Figurative.) to ha
Chivvy
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/ˈtʃɪvi/
Definitions
- Verb: To encourage or urge someone repeatedly to do something, often in an annoying or persistent manner.
- Verb (informal): To hurry or push someone into action, often in a somewhat nagging way.
Usage Examples
- She had to chivvy him into finishing the project on time.
- Stop chivvying me; I’ll do it when I’m ready!
- He was always chivvying his coworkers to get things done faster.
Etymology
The verb "chivvy" comes from the Old French word "chiver," meaning to complain or to scold. It appeared in English in the late 16th century, initially used in reference to urging or pushing someone with persistent requests. The word gradually evolved to mean a more playful or nagging form of urging, especially in British English.
Synonyms
- Encourage
- Urge
- Push
- Prompt
- Goad
- Provoke
Antonyms
- Discourage
- Hinder
- Restrain
- Slow down
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Chivvy | /ˈtʃɪvi/ |
| Spanish | Apremiar | /aˈpɾe.mjaɾ/ |
| French | Harceler | /aʁsəle/ |
| German | Drängen | /ˈdʁɛŋən/ |
| Italian | Spingere | /ˈspindʒere/ |
| Portuguese | Pressionar | /pɾɛsjoˈnaɾ/ |
| Russian | Подгонять | /pədɡɐˈnʲætʲ/ |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 催促 | /cuī cù/ |
| Arabic | حثّ | /ħaθθ/ |
| Japanese | 急かす | /seka-su/ |
| Korean | 재촉하다 | /jaeˈtʃoːkʰaːda/ |
| Hindi | जबरदस्ती करना | /jabar-dasṭī karna/ |
| Bengali | তাড়া করা | /ṭāṛā karā/ |
| Punjabi | ਜਬਰਦस्ती ਕਰਨਾ | /jabar-dasṭī karna/ |
| Telugu | తరగింపు | /taragimpu/ |
| Tamil | அவசரம் செய்ய | /avacaram seyyā/ |
| Malayalam | തക്കുക | /takkuka/ |
| Gujarati | દબાવવું | /dabāvuṁ/ |
| Marathi | लावणे | /lāvaṇe/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In British English, the word is commonly used with the meaning of urging or pushing someone persistently.
- In American English, it is understood in the same way, though less frequently used in everyday speech.
Historical Usage
The word "chivvy" has been used in English since the 16th century and is believed to have originated from the Old French "chiver," meaning to scold or complain. It was used to describe nagging behavior or persistent urging. Over time, its use evolved to focus more on urging someone to hurry or complete a task, often in a gentle or mildly annoying way.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, "chivvying" is often perceived negatively, as it refers to a form of nagging or pestering someone into action. In some cultures, however, chivvying is seen as a form of care or encouragement, particularly when it comes from elders or authority figures pushing for productivity or responsibility.
More Information
Chivvying is a common behavior found in many households, workplaces, and social settings. While it can sometimes be seen as a nuisance, it often arises from a desire to see others succeed or to motivate them to complete a task. However, it is important to balance encouragement with respect for personal space and autonomy, as constant chivvying can cause stress and frustration for the person being urged.