chesterfield
CHES-ter-feeld
/ˈtʃɛstəfiːld/
A large, classic sofa with deep button-tufting, rolled arms of the same height as the back, and leather upholstery.
Evokes traditional British style, luxury, and the atmosphere of a historic gentlemen's club or private library.
The story behind the word. The sofa is believed to be named after Philip Stanhope, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773). He commissioned a local craftsman to create a piece of furniture that would allow a gentleman to sit upright in comfort without wrinkling his suit.
Word relationships
- sofa: Sofa is a generic term for any multi-person seat, while a chesterfield is a highly specific historical design.
- couch: Couch is a casual term, whereas chesterfield refers to a formal, structured, and button-tufted piece.
Commonly confused with
- settee: A settee is smaller, lighter, and often has exposed wooden legs, while a chesterfield is massive and fully upholstered.
Collocations
- leather chesterfield
- classic chesterfield
- chesterfield sofa
Example sentences
- "The private library was anchored by a dark green leather chesterfield that exuded old-world British charm." A description of a cozy study.
Memory hook
Picture a wealthy British lord sitting in a 'chest'-high leather sofa in the town of 'Chesterfield'. Chesterfield: The gentleman's tufted sofa.
When not to use
Do not use to describe modern, minimalist, or fabric-covered sectionals.
Fun facts
- In Canadian English, the word 'chesterfield' was historically used as a generic term for any sofa, though this usage is declining among younger generations.
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