chinoiserie

noun

chi·​noi·​se·​rie shēn-ˈwäz-rē 

-ˈwä-zə-;

ˌshēn-ˌwäz-ˈrē, 

-ˌwä-zə- 

: a style in art (as in decoration) reflecting Chinese qualities or motifs

also : an object or decoration in this style

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.

Examples of chinoiserie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Warm and lush, earthy and bold, the scent has an ornate quality that’s more vase-of-roses-in-a-chinoiserie-sitting-room than dewy, garden-fresh bloom. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026

In the nearby dining room, a chinoiserie-style gold-leaf mural was hand-painted by English artist Grahame Ménage. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2026

Made from sturdy ceramic and adorned with a classic blue and white chinoiserie pattern, the stool has the appearance and feel of an heirloom piece. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026

Pride of place are the four chinoiserie panels, commissioned by George IV and painted by Robert Jones for the pavilion. — Ben Jureidini, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from chinois Chinese, from Chine China

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

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