Meaning & use
chiffon
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Meanings
noununcountable
A very light, thin, see-through fabric that drapes softly, used for scarves, dresses and trims.
Grammar: Uncountable as a material: a dress of chiffon; a chiffon dress.
Patterns
- made of chiffon
- a chiffon dress
She wore a long chiffon scarf that floated behind her.
The bridesmaids' dresses were made of pale blue chiffon.
Chiffon can snag easily, so wash it by hand.
adjectivebefore a noun
Describing a cake or pie with a very light, airy texture, made with whipped egg whites.
Grammar: Used before a noun, as in chiffon cake.
Patterns
- chiffon cake
- lemon chiffon pie
She baked a lemon chiffon cake for the party.
The chiffon pie was light and fluffy.
A chiffon dessert feels almost like air.
Common combinations
- chiffon dress
- Her chiffon dress swayed as she danced.
- chiffon scarf
- A chiffon scarf was tied around her hair.
- chiffon cake
- A chiffon cake is lighter than a butter cake.
- silk chiffon
- Silk chiffon is delicate and expensive.
- flowing chiffon
- The gown had layers of flowing chiffon.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gauze
- Gauze is a thin, loosely woven cloth often used in medicine, whereas chiffon is smoother and used for clothing.
- organza
- Organza is thin but stiff, while chiffon is soft and flowing.
- tulle
- Tulle is a net-like fabric used for veils and tutus, but chiffon is a fine woven cloth, not a net.
- voile
- Voile is a soft, light cotton or polyester cloth, but chiffon has a more shimmering, sheer finish.
Opposites
Word family
- chiffonier noun
- a tall chest of drawers, from the same French root
- chiffonade noun
- a cooking cut of leaves sliced into thin ribbons
Commonly confused: chiffon or chiffonier? chiffon or chafing?
chiffon vs chiffonier
A chiffonier is furniture, not fabric, though both come from a French word.
chiffon vs chafing
Chafing is rubbing that irritates skin, which is unrelated to this fabric despite the sound.
Practice
Which item would most likely be made of chiffon?
Choose one answer.
Chiffon is a light, sheer fabric, so a flowing scarf fits; boots, canvas and leather are heavy and sturdy.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “chiffon”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.