chamois

noun

cham·​ois ˈsha-mē How to pronounce chamois (audio)
sense 1 also
sham-ˈwä How to pronounce chamois (audio)
plural chamois also chamoix
sense 1
ˈsha-mē(z) How to pronounce chamois (audio)
or
sham-ˈwä(z) How to pronounce chamois (audio)
senses 2 & 3
ˈsha-mēz How to pronounce chamois (audio)
Synonyms of chamoisnext
1
: either of two small, agile, goatlike bovids (Rupicapra rupicapra and R. pyrenaica) of mountainous regions from southern Europe to the Caucasus that are often hunted for their meat and hide
2
or less commonly chammy or shammy
ˈsha-mē How to pronounce chamois (audio)
: a soft pliant leather prepared from the skin of the chamois or from sheepskin
3
: a cotton fabric made in imitation of chamois leather

Examples of chamois in a Sentence

a bucket of water and a chamois
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The heels are lined with chamois leather and the toes with linen; the soles are pigskin. — Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025 Each is applied with a specialized chamois (a type of leather) buffer, Maximova adds. — Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 5 June 2026 Takins are from the goat-antelope, or Caprinae, subfamily — which also includes sheep, goats, musk oxen, and chamois. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026 The channels between the chamois panels further enhance the ventilation while preventing bunching. — Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for chamois

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Late Latin camox

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chamois was in 1560

Rhymes for chamois

See All Rhymes for chamois

Browse Nearby Words

chamming
chamois
chamois cloth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chamois.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chamois. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

chamois

noun
cham·​ois ˈsham-ē How to pronounce chamois (audio)
plural chamois also chamoix ˈsham-ē(z) How to pronounce chamois (audio)
1
: a small goatlike mountain antelope of Europe and the Caucasus
2
: a soft yellowish leather made from the skin of the chamois or from sheepskin

More from Merriam-Webster on chamois

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chamois

Nglish: Translation of chamois for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chamois

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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