cheval glass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “cheval glass” mean?
A large, full-length mirror that is mounted in a frame between two posts and can be tilted, typically used for viewing one's entire outfit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, full-length mirror that is mounted in a frame between two posts and can be tilted, typically used for viewing one's entire outfit.
An ornate, adjustable mirror, often a piece of elegant furniture from the 18th–19th centuries, allowing the user to see themselves from multiple angles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties but is more likely to be encountered in antique furniture contexts in the UK.
Connotations
Connotes elegance, antiquity, and luxury furniture; not a modern utilitarian object.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech in both regions; most common in historical, interior design, or antique descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “cheval glass” in a Sentence
[subject] looked into/at the cheval glassThe [material] cheval glass stood in the cornerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cheval glass” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cheval-glass mirror was exquisite.
American English
- It was a cheval-glass style from the Victorian era.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used by antique dealers, interior designers, and auction houses.
Academic
Appears in historical, art history, or material culture studies.
Everyday
Almost never used in casual conversation; replaced by 'full-length mirror'.
Technical
Used in furniture making, restoration, and period interior design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cheval glass”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cheval glass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cheval glass”
- Using it to refer to any full-length mirror; misspelling as 'chevalle' or 'sheval'; incorrect pronunciation stressing 'che' like 'chef'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It specifically refers to a design where the mirror is pivoted within a supporting frame.
No, it is low-frequency and mostly used in contexts relating to antiques or period furniture.
It comes from French 'cheval' meaning 'horse', referring to the four-legged frame or 'horse' structure that supports it.
Most people would simply call it a 'full-length mirror'.
A large, full-length mirror that is mounted in a frame between two posts and can be tilted, typically used for viewing one's entire outfit.
Cheval glass is usually formal / technical in register.
Cheval glass: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɛvəl ˈɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃəˌvæl ˈɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think CHEVAL = French for horse. Imagine a mirror balanced like a rider on a horse, between two posts.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WINDOW INTO THE PAST (due to its antique associations).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining feature of a cheval glass?