noun
chamois
SHAM-wah
Chamois (noun) means a soft, absorbent piece of leather (traditionally from a goat-antelope of the same name) used for cleaning or polishing surfaces. Example: “He wiped down the car with a chamois to avoid leaving streaks.”
noun
1
A soft, absorbent piece of leather (traditionally from a goat-antelope of the same name) used for cleaning or polishing surfaces.
"He wiped down the car with a chamois to avoid leaving streaks."
verb
1
To wipe or polish something using a chamois cloth.
"She chamoised the windows until they gleamed."
adj
1
Having a soft, pale yellowish-tan color, like chamois leather.
"The jacket came in a chamois shade that matched her boots."
How to use chamois
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft leather (or leather-like) cloth for cleaning, or the pale tan color associated with it.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- chamoises
- Past tense
- chamoised
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He wiped down the car with a _____ to avoid leaving streaks.
Etymology
From French chamois, originally the name of a small goat-antelope found in the Alps, whose soft hide was used to make the cloth.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for chamois
See all rhymes for chamois →Frequently asked questions
What does “chamois” mean?
The word “chamois” means a soft, absorbent piece of leather (traditionally from a goat-antelope of the same name) used for cleaning or polishing surfaces. In plain terms, a soft leather (or leather-like) cloth for cleaning, or the pale tan color associated with it.
How do you pronounce “chamois”?
“Chamois” is pronounced SHAM-wah (/ʃæmˈwɑ/ in IPA).
How do you use “chamois” in a sentence?
Here is “chamois” used in a sentence: “He wiped down the car with a chamois to avoid leaving streaks.”
What part of speech is “chamois”?
Depending on how it is used, “chamois” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “chamois” come from?
The word “chamois” comes from French. From French chamois, originally the name of a small goat-antelope found in the Alps, whose soft hide was used to make the cloth.
How many meanings does “chamois” have?
“Chamois” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, absorbent piece of leather (traditionally from a goat-antelope of the same name) used for cleaning or polishing surfaces.
