chenille

[ shuh-neel ]

noun

1. a velvety cord or yarn of silk or worsted, for embroidery, fringes, etc.
2. fabric made with a fringed silken thread used as the weft in combination with wool or cotton.
3. any fabric with a protruding pile, as in certain rayon bedspreads.
4. a deep-pile, durable, woolen carpeting with chenille weft: the most expensive power-loomed floor covering.

chenille

/ ʃəˈniːl /

noun

1. a thick soft tufty silk or worsted velvet cord or yarn used in embroidery and for trimmings, etc
2. a fabric of such yarn
3. a rich and hard-wearing carpet of such fabric

Word History and Origins

Origin of chenille¹

1730–40; < French: velvety cord, literally, caterpillar < Latin canīcula, with etymological sense “little dog,” though attested only in senses “shrewish woman, dogfish, Sirius” ( canicular ); for parallel use of “cat” in same sense, caterpillar

Word History and Origins

Origin of chenille¹

C18: from French, literally: hairy caterpillar, from Latin canicula, diminutive of canis dog

Example Sentences

Other people suggested washing the cushion covers in the washing machine as an easier and more effective solution, but my chenille couch fabric isn't machine-washable.

From Salon

After staging plays in the family garage, where she used blue chenille bedspreads as curtains, Ms. Welch enrolled in classes at a local junior theater.

From Washington Post

They include Guise, a luminous fabric made partly from chenille yarns, and Forest, an intensely colorful wall covering based on his installation “Architectural Forest.”

From New York Times

The clapboard house is outfitted with items that reflect the era: a chenille bedspread, kerosene lamp, one small dresser.

From New York Times

In the Victorian era, for example, people could order chenille and ruffle-trimmed drapery from catalogs.

From Seattle Times