chiffon

rag, duster

noun shee-FOHN Rare

Also means

chiffon (fabric)

Usage Note

Chiffon has two related senses: a cleaning rag (un chiffon à poussière — a dusting cloth) and, in fashion, chiffon fabric — the borrowed English fashion term comes directly from this French word. The verb chiffonner means to crumple or, figuratively, to bother someone (ça me chiffonne — that bothers me). Chiffon also appears in papier chiffon for high-quality rag paper.

Examples

"Elle essuie la table avec un chiffon."

Natural Translation

She wipes the table with a cloth.

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