prep
Uncommon
chez
shay
Chez (prep) means At the home or place of. Example: “We're having drinks chez Maria on Friday.”
prep
1
At the home or place of.
"Even if I say so myself, Christmas chez the Forests is quite a heart-warming affair. For Ben, growing up, it was pure magic - a log fire in the grate, real candles on the giant tree, tea-lights twinkling on the tables."
— Lisa Forest, Mind the gap: Empty house, empty nest, empty fridge (2008)
"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 notesIn 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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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."
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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