chintz

American  

[chints] / tʃɪnts /

noun

1. a printed cotton fabric, glazed or unglazed, used especially for draperies.

2. a painted or stained calico from India.

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chintz British  

/ tʃɪnts /

noun

1. a printed, patterned cotton fabric, with glazed finish

2. a painted or stained Indian calico

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Etymology

Origin of chintz

1605–15; earlier chints, plural of chint < Gujarati chī̃ṭ

Explanation

Chintz is a simple cotton material that's often used to make curtains or throw pillows. It's common for chintz to be printed with big, colorful flowers. Frequently used in upholstery and other home decor, chintz is a lightly glazed, many-colored fabric. Traditionally, chintz was made from calico, a type of printed cotton, and featured a light background with bright floral patterns. This style of decorating is now known generally as chintz, whether it's dishes or wallpaper that feature bright flowers. The derogatory adjective chintzy, or "cheap," comes from the perceived low quality of chintz. The word has a Sanskrit root meaning "bright."

Example Sentences

The Prince of Chintz, as a television reporter named Mr. Buatta in 1984, designed interiors for a certain kind of American royalty — for Doubledays, Forbes and Newhouses, two presidents and Mariah Carey.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2020

Today is MAC, of course — Chestnut lip liner, Chintz lipstick, my lips bronze like a new penny.

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2019

He’s only recently published his first book of short stories, titled The Chintz Age.

From The Guardian • May 24, 2016

The stories in The Chintz Age are a monument to the New York he moved to and wanted to keep living in.

From The Guardian • May 24, 2016

And, Chintz, I want you to take this letter to Lakeville and post it with your own hands.

From The Hound From The North by Bull, Charles Livingston