chicken feed

noun

slang
: a paltry sum (as in profits or wages)

Examples of chicken feed in a Sentence

The project cost almost a million dollars, which isn't exactly chicken feed. Ten bucks? That's chicken feed!
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s big money to be had on a day when most Americans are engaging in some serious co-viewing, and Netflix’s initial bid of $150 million will probably look like chicken feed in 10 years’ time. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019 For a state with fewer than one million people, that’s not chicken feed. Chris Dorsey, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chicken feed was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near chicken feed

Cite this Entry

“Chicken feed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chicken%20feed. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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