chintz: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1neutral, often slightly negative when describing taste
Quick answer
What does “chintz” mean?
A glazed printed cotton fabric, often with brightly colored floral or other patterns, historically used for upholstery and curtains.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A glazed printed cotton fabric, often with brightly colored floral or other patterns, historically used for upholstery and curtains.
Something, especially decor or an artistic style, that is gaudy, overly ornate, or considered to be in cheap or outdated taste.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is used in both varieties, but the figurative sense (meaning 'tastelessly ornate') is more established and frequent in British English.
Connotations
In both: Can imply old-fashioned, overly floral, or grandmotherly style. In BrE, the negative connotation is stronger and more immediate.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but higher in BrE, especially in writing about interior design, taste, and social class.
Grammar
How to Use “chintz” in a Sentence
[Adj] + chintzchintz + [Noun (furniture/item)]decorated/covered/draped in chintzVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chintz” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The chintz sofa looked terribly dated in the minimalist apartment.
- She disliked the chintz wallpaper in the hallway.
American English
- They decided to recover the chintz armchairs in a solid navy fabric.
- The B&B had a charming, if slightly chintz, aesthetic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in textile manufacturing or antique furniture sales.
Academic
Used in art history, design history, and material culture studies.
Everyday
Used when discussing interior design, often critically ('The hotel lobby was full of dreadful chintz').
Technical
In textiles, refers specifically to a glazed, printed calico.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chintz”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chintz”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chintz”
- Misspelling as 'chints' or 'chintzy' (which is the adjective).
- Using it as a general term for any cheap fabric (its core meaning is specific).
- Pronouncing the 'z' as /z/ instead of /s/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not always. In historical or textile contexts, it is a neutral term for a specific fabric. The negative connotation arises when it is used figuratively to describe contemporary décor perceived as overly ornate or old-fashioned.
'Chintz' is primarily a noun (the fabric or the style). 'Chintzy' is the related adjective meaning 'like chintz,' and by extension, 'cheap, gaudy, or in poor taste.'
It comes from the Hindi word 'chīṁṭ', meaning 'spattering, stain,' via the plural 'chints', reflecting the fabric's printed, spotted patterns. It entered English in the 17th century via the Indian textile trade.
Typically, no. The term is strongly associated with traditional, often 19th or early 20th-century, décor. Modern use of floral prints is rarely called 'chintz' unless deliberately referencing or parodying that older style.
A glazed printed cotton fabric, often with brightly colored floral or other patterns, historically used for upholstery and curtains.
Chintz is usually neutral, often slightly negative when describing taste in register.
Chintz: in British English it is pronounced /tʃɪnts/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃɪnts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Chintz and chinoiserie (referring to a specific overly ornate decorative style)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'chintz' as 'chintsy' – it sounds and looks a bit fussy and old-fashioned.
Conceptual Metaphor
GAUDY DECOR IS CHINTZ (Using the specific to represent a category of disliked style).
Practice
Quiz
In its figurative sense, 'chintz' is most often used to criticise what?