Standard Lemma guide

chenille

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ʃəˈniːl/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -iːl

1

noun

Meaning 1

An extremely soft and bunchy fabric often used to make sweaters.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a heavy fabric woven with chenille cord; used in rugs and bedspreads

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: fabric, cloth, material, textile

3

noun

Meaning 3

a soft tufted cord used in embroidery

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: chenille cord

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cord

History

Etymology

Borrowed from French chenille. Doublet of canicule.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: žinylka — extremely soft and bunchy fabric often used to make sweater
  • French: chenille — extremely soft and bunchy fabric often used to make sweater
  • Polish: szenila — extremely soft and bunchy fabric often used to make sweater
  • Russian: шени́лл (šeníll) — extremely soft and bunchy fabric often used to make sweater