cheongsam
noun
cheong·sam
ˈchȯŋ-ˌsäm 
: a dress of southern Chinese origin with a slit skirt and a mandarin collar
Examples of cheongsam in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The look wove aspects of the traditional Chinese qipao, or cheongsam, such as the mandarin collar and a floral pattern, with unexpected flourishes – soft, puffy sculptures encircling the bust and hip, black lace and a thigh high slit.
—
Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Others like to wear clothing that is traditional to their cultures, like food blogger Kristen Morita, who wears a traditional Chinese cheongsam for the holiday.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025
Negga variously wears fur and a chemise and a high-necked cheongsam and a golden evening gown.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2022
Here the singer wore a sheer take on the cheongsam, a traditional Chinese dress that became popular in the ’90s.
—Indya Brown, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2022
Near the beginning of the escalator system sits one of the longest-standing cheongsam workshops in town, Linva (38 Cochrane St., Central).
—CNN, 6 Sep. 2022
Traditional outfits are called cheongsam (also known as qipao) are worn in red.
—Anna Kim, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2022
Once a loose-fitting everyday staple, the qipao (also known as a cheongsam) was popularized in Shanghai in the 1920s and became increasingly fitted as women gained more agency over their lives and bodies.
—Rebecca Cairns, CNN, 25 July 2021
Mom was sitting in a chair, her side to the camera, wearing a tight green silk cheongsam.
—Longreads, 9 Jan. 2016
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Others like to wear clothing that is traditional to their cultures, like food blogger Kristen Morita, who wears a traditional Chinese cheongsam for the holiday.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025
Negga variously wears fur and a chemise and a high-necked cheongsam and a golden evening gown.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2022
Here the singer wore a sheer take on the cheongsam, a traditional Chinese dress that became popular in the ’90s.
—Indya Brown, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2022
Near the beginning of the escalator system sits one of the longest-standing cheongsam workshops in town, Linva (38 Cochrane St., Central).
—CNN, 6 Sep. 2022
Traditional outfits are called cheongsam (also known as qipao) are worn in red.
—Anna Kim, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2022
Once a loose-fitting everyday staple, the qipao (also known as a cheongsam) was popularized in Shanghai in the 1920s and became increasingly fitted as women gained more agency over their lives and bodies.
—Rebecca Cairns, CNN, 25 July 2021
Mom was sitting in a chair, her side to the camera, wearing a tight green silk cheongsam.
—Longreads, 9 Jan. 2016
Cite this Entry
“Cheongsam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheongsam. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share