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DictionarychenilleVelvety textile material
noun

chenille

shuh-NEEL/ʃəˈniːl/

A soft textile material with a fuzzy, velvety pile.

The chenille yarn has a dense, fuzzy pile.

A close-up still life of chenille yarn loosely wound into a small ball, with a curved loose strand revealing its dense, short radial pile, beside a folded swatch of velvety chenille fabric.
Etymology
chenilleLatinlittle dog

The 'little dog' word became a French name for a caterpillar. Chenille yarn was named for its furry, caterpillar-like appearance, connecting the animal image to the textile's velvety surface.

In context

Mood Fabrics0:15
… newcastle viscose and acrylic chenille tweeds …
Mood Featured Newcastle Chenille Tweed Collection

More examples

  • She chose chenille yarn for the cushion cover.
  • A chenille robe hung by the door.
  • The fabric’s chenille pile caught the light.

Forms

chenille

Similar words

velvet
Velvet has a short dense pile; chenille’s fuzzy yarn creates a different plush texture.
yarn
Yarn is the broader material; chenille yarn has projecting fibers that create its fuzzy surface.