ciré

noun

ci·​ré sə-ˈrā How to pronounce ciré (audio)
sē-
variants or less commonly cire
1
: a highly glazed finish for fabrics usually achieved by applying wax to the fabric
2
: a fabric or garment with a ciré finish

Examples of ciré in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Highlights include the peacoat, the belted coat in cire — a high gloss outerwear fabric, and the jersey tunic in 1962, followed up by the first gypsy look in 1964. Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

French, from past participle of cirer to wax, from cire wax, from Old French, from Latin cera — more at cerumen

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ciré was in 1921

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ciré.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cir%C3%A9. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

ciré

noun
ci·​ré sə-ˈrā How to pronounce ciré (audio)
: a shiny fabric that looks wet
Etymology

French, literally, "waxed"

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster