chintz
Americannoun
-
a printed cotton fabric, glazed or unglazed, used especially for draperies.
-
a painted or stained calico from India.
noun
-
a printed, patterned cotton fabric, with glazed finish
-
a painted or stained Indian calico
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."
Vocabulary lists containing chintz
Pygmalion
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Wonderful Words from the Wizard of Oz
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Bea and the New Deal Horse
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
From rich woven silks, patterned brocades and intricate chintz to a range of less talked-about textiles, India's contribution to the global textile industry is unique.
From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2025
She followed the English country house tradition of slipcovering her upholstered furniture every summer — in cream and blue chintz in wide stripes, or in roses printed on pale linen.
From New York Times ● Mar. 31, 2023
Released the same year as Ritchie Valens’ version of “La Bamba,” this chintz speaks to a U.S. that once was fine with bilingualism in its chart-toppers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2022
Mughal motifs melded with Indian ones in the style known as chintz, a corruption of the Hindi word “chimt,” which means spotted or speckled.
From Washington Post ● May 18, 2022
The sheriff heeded the voice and looked at the room—flowered chintz, lace curtains, white drawn-work table cover, cushions on the couch covered with a bright and impudent print.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
