chemise

[ shuh-meez ]

noun

1. a woman's loose-fitting, shirtlike undergarment.
2. (in women's fashions) a dress designed to hang straight from the shoulders and fit loosely at the waist, sometimes more tightly at the hip.
3. a revetment for an earth embankment.

chemise

/ ʃəˈmiːz /

noun

1. an unwaisted loose-fitting dress hanging straight from the shoulders
2. a loose shirtlike undergarment

Word History and Origins

Origin of chemise¹

before 1050; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French: shirt < Late Latin camīsa linen undergarment, shirt; replacing Middle English kemes, Old English cemes < Late Latin camīsa

Word History and Origins

Origin of chemise¹

C14: from Old French: shirt, from Late Latin camisa, perhaps of Celtic origin

Example Sentences

A 36-year-old Algiers native, with a prodigious beard and an ankle-length orange chemise covering his giant build, Omar was well acquainted with the discrepancy between his country’s size and its reputation.

From Washington Post

Covering up her sheer chemise with Doc’s pajama top — “Silk, of course, being Doc Scantlin” — she sang a song popularized by Shirley Horn, “Where Do You Start?”

From Washington Post

He styled an A-line mini-dress to wear with tall boots, a “bubble” dress that was gathered at the hem by a drawstring and a “chemise,” a short dress that tapers at the bottom.

From Los Angeles Times

In one scene, for instance, Daphne Bridgerton's back is cut and bruised from her too-tight corset, but Regency women would have worn a chemise — a linen undergarment — against their skin to prevent this from happening.

From Salon

The model recently took to Instagram where she rocked a black satin and lace chemise highlighting her coveted curves.

From Fox News