prep Uncommon

chez

shay

Chez (prep) means At the home or place of. Example: “We're having drinks chez Maria on Friday.”

prep

At the home or place of.

"We're having drinks chez Maria on Friday."

"The meeting was held chez the CEO, in his private study."

How to use chez

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA borrowed French word meaning "at [someone]'s place" — used in English mostly for a playful or stylish touch.

When to use it

Deliberately fancy or arch in English; you'd write "chez nous" (at our place) in an invitation, not in casual speech.

Common pairings

chez moi chez nous dinner chez someone

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We're having drinks _____ Maria on Friday.

Etymology

Borrowed straight from French chez ("at the house of"), from Latin casa ("hut, cottage") — making it a distant cousin of the English word "casa."

Origin: Latin

Frequently asked questions

What does “chez” mean?

The word “chez” means at the home or place of. In plain terms, a borrowed French word meaning "at [someone]'s place" — used in English mostly for a playful or stylish touch.

How do you pronounce “chez”?

“Chez” is pronounced shay (/ʃeɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “chez” in a sentence?

Here is “chez” used in a sentence: “We're having drinks chez Maria on Friday.”

What part of speech is “chez”?

“Chez” is a preposition.

Where does the word “chez” come from?

The word “chez” comes from Latin. Borrowed straight from French chez ("at the house of"), from Latin casa ("hut, cottage") — making it a distant cousin of the English word "casa.".

Is “chez” a common word?

“Chez” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Words that end with Z