chignon

American  

[sheen-yon, sheen-yuhn, shee-nyawn] / ˈʃin yɒn, ʃinˈyʌn, ʃiˈnyɔ̃ /

noun

plural

chignons

1. a large, smooth twist, roll, or knot of hair, worn by women at the nape of the neck or the back of the head.

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chignon British  

/ ʃiɲɔ̃, ˈʃiːnjɒn /

noun

1. an arrangement of long hair in a roll or knot at the back of the head

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Other Word Forms

• chignoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of chignon

1775–85; < French: nape, roll of hair at nape, blend of Middle French chaignon (variant of chainon link, equivalent to chaine chain + -on noun suffix) and tignon twist of hair ( tigne (< Latin tinea worm) + -on noun suffix)

Example Sentences

Ms Ardern wore a fitted ivory dress by designer Juliette Hogan - who is reportedly a close friend of the ex-PM - and a long veil clipped onto a chignon up-do hairstyle.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2024

Her blond hair was usually ironed straight or pulled back into a messy chignon.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2022

But also, because Alexia has a chignon constantly — that's where she puts her pick.

From Salon • Oct. 5, 2021

Whereas Maran positioned her products as eco-friendly, socially conscious and accessible, Rodin’s compound, Rodin Olio Lusso, had little back story beyond the kooky-cool charisma of its creator, with her tousled silver chignon.

From New York Times • May 10, 2021

Her sticky graying hair is tied in a chignon at her neck.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García