chichi
1 of 2noun
chi·chi ˈshē-(ˌ)shē 
also ˈchē-(ˌ)chē
1
: frilly or elaborate ornamentation
2
: affectation, preciosity
3
: chic
chichi
2 of 2adjective
1
: elaborately ornamented : showy, frilly
a chichi dress
2
: arty, precious
chichi poetry
3
: chic, fashionable
a chichi nightclub
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2020 Alongside the usual tra-la-la and chichi of Fashion Week in Paris, a fair amount of blah-blah was heard about the potential merging of the sexes on runways and the end of a separate men’s wear season altogether. Guy Trebay, New York Times, 28 June 2017 Top on our list is Le Grand Pan, a neighborhood spot advertising cuisine sans chichis, a meat-lover’s paradise. Don And Petie Kladstrup, Smithsonian, 9 Feb. 2017 Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, 9 Dec. 2019 Revelers from across the country and abroad were parading through Berlin on Saturday from chichi Kurfuerstendamm street in the west to the city’s landmark Brandenburg Gate. Washington Post, 27 July 2019 Yet, everyday cooks don’t need to read a lactic science paper to understand how to make chichi butter choices. Lucinda Scala Quinn, Washington Post, 21 June 2019 The pages inside the magazine are just as chichi as the cover, featuring an array of pieces from the Paris Couture collections, including conceptual designs from Marni, Loewe, Calvin Klein, and Emporio Armani. Emily Kirkpatrick, PEOPLE.com, 26 Sep. 2017 Of course, there were clues: Michael kicked a puppy in the very second episode, and no self-respecting Elysium so closely resembles a chichi outdoor mall in Pasadena. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2017 See More
Noun
Robbie Amell stars as Nathan, a tech bro in 2033 whose consciousness is uploaded to a chichi but bizarre afterlife. Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2020 Alongside the usual tra-la-la and chichi of Fashion Week in Paris, a fair amount of blah-blah was heard about the potential merging of the sexes on runways and the end of a separate men’s wear season altogether. Guy Trebay, New York Times, 28 June 2017 Top on our list is Le Grand Pan, a neighborhood spot advertising cuisine sans chichis, a meat-lover’s paradise. Don And Petie Kladstrup, Smithsonian, 9 Feb. 2017 Adjective
But finding that perfect chichi pullover can be a mission. Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, 9 Dec. 2019 Revelers from across the country and abroad were parading through Berlin on Saturday from chichi Kurfuerstendamm street in the west to the city’s landmark Brandenburg Gate. Washington Post, 27 July 2019 Yet, everyday cooks don’t need to read a lactic science paper to understand how to make chichi butter choices. Lucinda Scala Quinn, Washington Post, 21 June 2019 The pages inside the magazine are just as chichi as the cover, featuring an array of pieces from the Paris Couture collections, including conceptual designs from Marni, Loewe, Calvin Klein, and Emporio Armani. Emily Kirkpatrick, PEOPLE.com, 26 Sep. 2017 Of course, there were clues: Michael kicked a puppy in the very second episode, and no self-respecting Elysium so closely resembles a chichi outdoor mall in Pasadena. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
French
First Known Use
Noun
1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1
chichi 1 of 2
adjective
as in frilly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- frilly
- ostentatious
- showy
- fancified
- flamboyant
- grandiose
- exuberant
- overwrought
- extravagant
- ornate
- souped-up
- elegant
- exquisite
- magnificent
- splendid
- grand
- fancy
- labyrinthine
- labyrinthian
- gimmicked (up)
- involuted
- convoluted
- complex
- involute
- intricate
- sophisticated
- Byzantine
- elaborate
- complicated
- involved
- detailed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unsophisticated
- unfancy
- simple
- modest
- plain
- uncomplicated
- no-frills
- naked
- unadorned
- bald
- undecorated
- unvarnished
- plain-Jane
- bare
- plain-vanilla
chichi
2 of 2noun
as in froufrou
Synonyms & Similar Words
- froufrou
- finery
- apparel
- foofaraw
- frippery
- filigree
- adornment
- frosting
- ornamentation
- blazonry
- bells and whistles
- doodad
- trim
- bric-a-brac
- furbelow
- ornament
- emblazonry
- embellishment
- garniture
- garnish
- frill
- caparison
- beautifier
- flounce
- embellisher
- ruffle
- flourish
- garnishment
- setoff
- enrichment
- appliqué
- enhancement
- embossment
- improvement
- fal-lal
- fancywork
- embroidery
- glitter
- gilt
- trappings
- furnishings
- regalia
- pattern
- design
- bedizenment
- figure
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- blemish
- scar
- spot
- disfigurement
- stain
- blot
- defacement