chaise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2formal, literary, historical, interior design
Quick answer
What does “chaise” mean?
a light, open horse-drawn carriage for one or two people, typically with two wheels.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a light, open horse-drawn carriage for one or two people, typically with two wheels.
A reclining chair or long chair designed for resting, often with an elongated seat; also refers to a two-wheeled carriage (chaise longue in French).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term 'chaise longue' (French pronunciation) is standard for the furniture item. In the US, 'chaise lounge' (anglicized spelling and pronunciation) is common, though 'chaise longue' is also understood. The carriage sense is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries connotations of elegance, antiquity, and leisure. In the US, 'chaise lounge' may sound slightly less formal than the UK's 'chaise longue'.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both dialects. Almost exclusively used in the context of furniture (chaise longue/lounge) or historical settings.
Grammar
How to Use “chaise” in a Sentence
[possessive] + chaisea chaise + [prepositional phrase: by the pool/in the salon]to lounge/recline on a chaiseVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except possibly in high-end furniture retail.
Academic
Used in historical studies (transport, social history) and art history.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used when discussing garden or poolside furniture.
Technical
Used in interior design and antique furniture cataloguing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chaise”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chaise”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chaise”
- Pronouncing it as /tʃeɪz/ (like 'chase') instead of /ʃeɪz/.
- Using 'chaise' alone to mean a normal chair.
- Misspelling 'chaise longue' as 'chaise lounge' in UK contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Chaise longue' is the original French term (meaning 'long chair'). 'Chaise lounge' is an Americanized version based on pronunciation. They refer to the same piece of furniture.
No, it is quite rare. It is used primarily in the compound 'chaise longue/lounge' or in historical contexts.
No, 'chaise' is only a noun in standard English.
It is pronounced /ʃeɪz/ (shayz), rhyming with 'phrase', in both British and American English.
a light, open horse-drawn carriage for one or two people, typically with two wheels.
Chaise is usually formal, literary, historical, interior design in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHAISE' sounds like 'SHAZE' – you SHAKE off stress while lounging on a CHAISE.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEISURE IS RECLINING (e.g., 'He chaised away the afternoon').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most common modern meaning of 'chaise' in English?