chinoiserie

[ sheen-wah-zuh-ree, -wah-zuh-ree; French shee-nwazuh-ree ]

/ ʃinˌwɑ zəˈri, -ˈwɑ zə ri; French ʃi nwazəˈri /

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noun, plural chi·noi·se·ries

[sheen-wah-zuh-reez, -wah-zuh-reez; French shee-nwazuh-ree] /ʃinˌwɑ zəˈriz, -ˈwɑ zə riz; French ʃi nwazəˈri/ for 2. (sometimes initial capital letter)

a style of ornamentation current chiefly in the 18th century in Europe, characterized by intricate patterns and an extensive use of motifs identified as Chinese.

an object decorated in this style or an example of this style: The clock was an interesting chinoiserie.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of chinoiserie

1880–85; <French, equivalent to chinoisChinese + -erie-ery

Words nearby chinoiserie

chink in one's armor, chinless, chinless wonder, chin music, chino, chinoiserie, chinone, Chinook, Chinookan, Chinook Jargon, chinook salmon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use chinoiserie in a sentence

Stripes pair well with fluid motifs, such as florals and chinoiserie, but they also work with busy geometric patterns.
How to incorporate 7 popular patterns in your home, according to experts|Marissa Hermanson|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
The Duchess looked elegant in a pale grey coat over a hand-painted silk floral “chinoiserie” dress by Jenny Packham.
William, Kate and Harry Attend Wedding of Diana's Niece|Tom Sykes|June 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Recently I planned a small boudoir in a country house that depended on a gay Chinoiserie paper for its charm.
The House in Good Taste|Elsie de Wolfe
Mrs. Frederick Havemeyer has a similar bed covered with a Chinoiserie chintz.
The House in Good Taste|Elsie de Wolfe

Garner shows a Lambeth mug embodying this style of decoration combined with a suggestion of Chinoiserie around the waist.
The Cultural History of Marlborough, Virginia|C. Malcolm Watkins

British Dictionary definitions for chinoiserie

chinoiserie

/ (ʃiːnˌwɑːzəˈriː, -ˈwɑːzərɪ) /

noun

a style of decorative or fine art based on imitations of Chinese motifs

an object or objects in this style

Word Origin for chinoiserie

French, from chinois Chinese; see -ery

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012