chiffon

1 of 2

noun

chif·​fon shi-ˈfän  ˈshi-ˌfän 

1

: an ornamental addition (such as a knot of ribbons) to a woman's dress

2

: a sheer fabric especially of silk

chiffon

2 of 2

adjective

1

: resembling chiffon in sheerness or softness

2

: having a light delicate texture achieved usually by adding whipped egg whites or whipped gelatin

lemon chiffon pie

Examples of chiffon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Everyone remembers Jennifer Lopez wearing the green jungle-print chiffon Versace dress with a plunging neckline to the 2000 Grammys. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 1 May 2026

Light and airy chiffon cakes have been gracing Southern sideboards since the 1920s, and this is our Test Kitchen's latest iteration of the vintage confection. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026

Adjective

The soft, chiffon-style fabric is lightweight and breathable, and the short-sleeve design is easy to layer with a cardigan or denim jacket on cooler days. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026

While there was a bounty of romantic, floral, and flowing chiffon goddess gowns to behold at Elie Saab, there were also sexy separates that felt like a sophisticated departure for the brand. —Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, literally, rag, from chiffe old rag, alteration of Middle French chipe, from Middle English chip chip

First Known Use

Noun

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chiffon

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• coupon

Kids Definition

chiffon

1 of 2 noun

chif·​fon shif-ˈän  ˈshif-ˌän 

: a very thin fabric especially of silk

chiffon

2 of 2 adjective

: having a light soft texture

a chiffon pie