# chiffon

> English word · Noun · IPA /ʃɪˈfɑn/ · frequency rank #37,377

## Definitions
1. A lightweight, balanced plain-woven sheer fabric, or gauze, like gossamer, woven of alternate S- and Z-twist crepe (high-twist) yarns made of silk, polyester, or cotton.
2. Any purely ornamental accessory on a woman's dress, such as a bunch of ribbon, lace, etc.

## Etymology
Borrowed from French chiffon, from Middle French chiffe (“cloth, old rag”), from Old French chipe (“rag”), from Middle English chip, chippe (“chip, shard, fragment”), from Old English ċipp (“chip, splinter, shaving”); see chip.

## Easily confused with
- **Chiron** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chiffon-vs-chiron)
- **Clifton** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chiffon-vs-clifton)
- **Chilton** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chiffon-vs-chilton)

## Common misspellings (9)
`cchiffon`, `chfifon`, `chhiffon`, `chiffno`, `chiffonn`, `chifofn`, `chifon`, `cihffon`, `hciffon`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/chiffon