French word

chamois

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃamwa/

Meaning

  • masculine nounchamois cloth

Example

J'ai essuyé la voiture avec un chamois.

I wiped the car with a chamois cloth.

Illustration for chamois (chamois cloth)

More examples

Elle nettoie ses lunettes avec un chiffon en chamois.

She cleans her glasses with a chamois cloth.

Core concept

A soft, flexible wiping pad that absorbs moisture and polishes surfaces without scratching them.

Common phrases

  • un chiffon en chamois

    a chamois cloth

  • gants en chamois

    chamois gloves

  • un chamois synthétique

    a synthetic chamois leather

Similar words

éponge: A porous cleaning tool that soaks up water while scrubbing surfaces.
serviette: A soft towel or paper sheet for wiping hands, faces, or dishes.
lingette: A small disposable wipe used while damp for quick cleaning.
torchon: A durable dishcloth for wiping kitchen surfaces and dishes.

Definition in French

Peau finement traitée ou tissu imitant cette peau, très doux et absorbant, employé pour sécher ou faire briller des objets.

Word origin

The wiping-material sense developed from the hide of the chamois animal, and the name later extended to treated leather and cloth made to imitate it.

Usage tips

  • In French, chamois is masculine, as in un chamois and ce chamois.

Other meanings

  • chamoisnoun

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