chichi

[ shee-shee ]

adjective

1. showily or affectedly elegant or trendy; pretentious.

   Synonyms: flamboyant, ostentatious, flashy

noun

1. a chichi person or thing.
2. the quality of being chichi.

chichi

¹

/ ˈʃiːˌʃiː /

adjective

1. affectedly pretty or stylish

noun

1. the quality of being affectedly pretty or stylish

chichi

²

/ ˈtʃiːˌtʃiː /

noun

1. Also (less common)chee-chee
   1. a person of mixed British and Indian descent; Anglo-Indian
   2. ( as modifier )

      a chichi accent

Word History and Origins

Origin of chichi¹

Borrowed into English from French around 1905–10

Word History and Origins

Origin of chichi¹

C20: from French

Origin of chichi²

C18: perhaps from Hindi chhī-chhī, literally: dirt, or perhaps imitative of their supposed singsong speech

Example Sentences

“It used to be Austin shabby. Now it’s very urban chichi.”

From New York Times

Traffic from West L.A. was horrible, of course, and by the time we reached our destination — some chichi Italian place — we were very hungry.

From Los Angeles Times

The wealthy have long sought to retreat from public life on this chichi barrier island.

From New York Times

I told Mr. Hastings that, given all the poaching that the big-spending Netflix does, I’m surprised that some Disney executive hasn’t thrown a drink in his face at a chichi restaurant, “Appointment in Samarra” style.

From New York Times

Between the summer and winter of 1997, Casey works long hours as a waitress at Iris, a chichi restaurant in Harvard Square; King recounts every dish she delivers, the head count of every table.

From Los Angeles Times