Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of heavy fabric: A thick, soft fabric woven with a specific type of yarn, characterized by a fuzzy, raised pile surface. It is commonly used for making items like rugs, bedspreads, and upholstery.
   • A type of yarn or cord: A soft, tufted cord with a velvety, caterpillar-like texture, used in embroidery, tassels, and decorative trims.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Fabric):
  • The living room sofa is upholstered in a soft, blue chenille.
  • She bought a beautiful chenille bedspread for the winter months.
• Noun (Yarn/Cord):
  • The artisan used gold chenille to embroider the intricate design on the pillow.
  • The tassels were made from thick, red chenille.

Advanced Usage

• "Chenille weave": Refers to the specific weaving technique used to create the fabric's characteristic pile.
  • The durability of the rug comes from its tight chenille weave.
• "Chenille stem": A pipe cleaner, often used in crafts, which resembles the fuzzy yarn.
  • The children made figures using colorful chenille stems.

Variants and Related Words

• Chenilled (adj): Describing something that is made with or resembles chenille.
  • The chenilled surface of the fabric was very plush.

Synonyms

• Frieze (n): A heavy, coarse woolen cloth with a shaggy nap, somewhat similar in texture.
• Velour (n): A fabric with a pile similar to velvet, though typically smoother than chenille.

Related Phrases

• Chenille throw: A small blanket or cover made from chenille fabric.
  • She curled up on the couch under a warm chenille throw.
• Chenille yarn: Yarn specifically manufactured to have the soft, tufted quality of chenille.
  • She knitted a scarf using a bulky chenille yarn.

Noun

1. a heavy fabric woven with chenille cord; used in rugs and bedspreads
2. a soft tufted cord used in embroidery