What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
chemise
Example
She wore a silk chemise to bed for a comfortable night's sleep. [chemise: noun]
Example
The vintage-inspired chemise was made of delicate lace. [chemise: adjective]
shift
Example
She wore a floral shift dress to the party. [shift: noun]
Example
He decided to shift his outfit from casual to formal by adding a blazer. [shift: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shift is more commonly used than chemise in everyday language. Shift is a versatile term that can be used to describe various styles of dresses, while chemise is less common and is usually associated with specific types of undergarments or nightdresses.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between chemise and shift?
Both chemise and shift can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, chemise is often associated with a more intimate or lingerie context, while shift is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
