shantung: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical (Fashion/Textiles)
Quick answer
What does “shantung” mean?
A type of silk fabric with a rough, slubbed texture and irregular surface, traditionally woven from wild silk.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of silk fabric with a rough, slubbed texture and irregular surface, traditionally woven from wild silk.
A fabric made from various fibers (like silk, rayon, or cotton) that imitates the slubbed texture of traditional shantung silk. It can also refer to the characteristic nubby, irregular texture itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation may vary slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a classic, elegant, often summer-weight fabric associated with formal or special-occasion wear (e.g., wedding dresses, suits).
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, limited to contexts of fashion, textiles, and interior design.
Grammar
How to Use “shantung” in a Sentence
[made] of shantung[woven] from shantung[dressed] in shantungVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shantung” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She chose a lovely shantung material for her mother-of-the-bride outfit.
American English
- The designer's new line features shantung jackets and trousers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the fashion/textile industry for fabric specification and marketing (e.g., 'The summer collection features linen and shantung').
Academic
Appears in historical, cultural, or material studies texts discussing textiles, trade, or fashion history.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used when describing clothing or curtains in detail (e.g., 'Her wedding dress was a beautiful ivory shantung').
Technical
Precise term in textile manufacturing and dressmaking, describing a specific weave and fiber type.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shantung”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shantung”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shantung”
- Misspelling as 'shanton', 'chantung', or 'shantang'.
- Using it as a verb or adjective beyond its attributive role (e.g., 'The fabric shantungs nicely' is incorrect).
- Confusing it with other textured fabrics like 'tweed' (wool) or 'seersucker' (cotton).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, yes, it is a wild silk fabric. However, modern 'shantung' can be made from rayon, acetate, polyester, or cotton that imitates the classic slubbed texture.
They are very similar and often used interchangeably. Technically, dupioni is made from two silk cocoons interlaced, creating thicker slubs, while shantung can be made from a single thread but is still slubbed. In practice, the terms overlap significantly.
It is generally considered a formal or special-occasion fabric due to its association with silk and its use in suits, wedding attire, and elegant dresses. However, casual shantung-style garments in cotton do exist.
It is an anglicisation of 'Shandong', the name of a coastal province in Eastern China where this type of silk was traditionally produced.
A type of silk fabric with a rough, slubbed texture and irregular surface, traditionally woven from wild silk.
Shantung: in British English it is pronounced /ʃænˈtʌŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃænˌtʌŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SHAN+TUNG: The 'SHAN' sounds like the 'shan' in 'Shanghai', and 'TUNG' like 'tongue'. Imagine feeling the rough texture of silk with your tongue — a memorable (if odd) connection to its slubbed feel.
Conceptual Metaphor
LUXURY IS TEXTURE (The irregular, nubby texture is a marker of authentic, high-quality, natural fabric versus mass-produced smoothness).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of shantung fabric?