chinoiserie

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noun chi·noi·se·rie \ shēn-ˈwäz-rē , -ˈwä-zə- ; ˌshēn-ˌwäz-ˈrē , -ˌwä-zə- \

Definition of chinoiserie

:a style in art (as in decoration) reflecting Chinese qualities or motifs; also :an object or decoration in this style

chinoiserie was our Word of the Day on 01/15/2014. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of chinoiserie from the Web

Some are exact replicas (the black chinoiserie blouse with snaking buds up the collar), while others have been updated just slightly (a fleece turtleneck with elaborate ruffled sleeves, remade in soft jersey).

— monica kim, Vogue, "Chloë Sevigny’s Jeans! Anita Pallenberg’s Henley! 8 Vintage Treasures From Stylist Bay Garnett’s Archive Have Been Remade," 22 Aug. 2017
The fabric is a black-and-navy metallic floral chinoiserie jacquard, with luxe pearl fastenings along the side.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "This Dress Makes Me Feel Like a Chinese Indie-Movie Star," 28 July 2017
The Grain and Aileen Brua of Proof on Main will join Lawrence Weeks of Locals Only and the Fat Lamb's Dallas McGarity for a chinoiserie style dinner (a European style of art interpreting Asian influences).

— dana mcmahan, The Courier-Journal, "Chik'n & Mi adds Asian inspired brunch, learn to butcher a pig & more restaurant news," 19 July 2017
To equally memorable effect, Bikoff chose a Mimi chinoiserie wallpaper by Voutsa alongside powder blue banquettes and Venetian glass mirrors for the restaurant's main dining room.

— jessica cumberbatch anderson, ELLE Decor, "This Instagram-Worthy Restaurant Never Opened, And Now You Can Buy The Decor Right Off The Walls," 21 June 2017
Elsewhere, the gilded Chinese House is a remnant of the king’s then-trendy obsession with chinoiserie, and the Grecian-style Temple of Friendship was his monument to his older sister, Princess Wilhelmine.

— giulia pines, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why a Visit to Berlin Should Include a Day Trip to Potsdam," 20 Jan. 2017
At dinner women in crinolines and powdered wigs play Baroque string instruments, a harpsichord, and a harp under the gleaming chinoiserie.

— alex halberstadt, Town & Country, "The Surreal Thrill of Moscow Dining," 9 Oct. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chinoiserie.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

In 1670, King Louis XIV had the Trianon de Porcelaine erected at Versailles. It was a small structure-a pleasure house built for the king's mistress-and it was decorated with chinoiserie and faced with faience tiles with a blue and white chinoiserie pattern. The building persists in history as the first major example of chinoiserie-the English word is borrowed straight from French, which based the word on chinois, its word for "Chinese"-but the trend it began long outlasted the building itself, which was destroyed a mere 17 years later to make way for the Grand Trianon. Chinoiserie itself was popular throughout the 17th and 18th centuries and enjoyed a brief revival in the 1930s. And people still enjoy it today.