chignon

American  

[sheen-yon, sheen-yuhn, shee-nyawn] / ˈʃin yɒn, ʃinˈyʌn, ʃiˈnyɔ̃ /

noun

plural

chignons

1. a large, smooth twist, roll, or knot of hair, worn by women at the nape of the neck or the back of the head.

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chignon British  

/ ʃiɲɔ̃, ˈʃiːnjɒn /

noun

1. an arrangement of long hair in a roll or knot at the back of the head

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Other Word Forms

• chignoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of chignon

1775–85; < French: nape, roll of hair at nape, blend of Middle French chaignon (variant of chainon link, equivalent to chaine chain + -on noun suffix) and tignon twist of hair ( tigne (< Latin tinea worm) + -on noun suffix)

Explanation

A chignon is a sleek, elegant hairdo that's similar to a bun. A ballerina might pull her hair back into a chignon. Many formal events, like weddings and proms, call for fancy hair styles — a classic one is the chignon. While a bun may be high on the head, a chignon is almost always coiled smoothly at the nape of the neck. In fact, the French word chignon literally means "nape of the neck," from the Old French chaignon, "iron collar or noose," which has a Latin root, catena, "chain or restraint."

Example Sentences

Ms Ardern wore a fitted ivory dress by designer Juliette Hogan - who is reportedly a close friend of the ex-PM - and a long veil clipped onto a chignon up-do hairstyle.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2024

Her blond hair was usually ironed straight or pulled back into a messy chignon.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2022

“Behind the undone chignon, the back of Donald Trump is covered in white lank,” the machine wrote.

From New York Times • Nov. 24, 2021

But also, because Alexia has a chignon constantly — that's where she puts her pick.

From Salon • Oct. 5, 2021

Her sticky graying hair is tied in a chignon at her neck.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García