Word
chevron
US/ˈʃɛvɹɑn/
UK/ʃˈɛvɹɒn/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a pattern or shape that looks like the letter V. You often see it on road signs, military uniforms, or as a design on floors and walls.
n. a V-shaped mark, pattern, or object, typically used in heraldry, on military uniforms to indicate rank, or as a decorative architectural motif.
Examples
“The soldier wore a silver chevron on his sleeve.”
“The road signs used bright yellow chevrons to warn drivers about the sharp curve ahead.”
“The historic ballroom featured a stunning parquet floor laid in a chevron pattern, where the ends of the wooden planks were cut at an angle to meet perfectly in a continuous line.”
Examples
simple
“The soldier wore a silver chevron on his sleeve.”
contextual
“The road signs used bright yellow chevrons to warn drivers about the sharp curve ahead.”
complex
“The historic ballroom featured a stunning parquet floor laid in a chevron pattern, where the ends of the wooden planks were cut at an angle to meet perfectly in a continuous line.”
Usage
Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'chevron pattern' or 'chevron stripes'.
Pitfall
a herringbone floor
a chevron floor
In a chevron pattern, the wood ends are cut at an angle to form a straight line; in herringbone, rectangular planks overlap in a staggered zigzag.
Real-World Examples
“Under ultraviolet light, they turn into glow-in-the-dark, underwater Christmas decorations, with both greens and reds arranged in overlapping chevrons.” “With over 130 colors and patterns to choose from, Pooky’s straight empire lampshade offers far more mix-and-match opportunities than any other retailer, whether you’re looking for stripes, florals, chevrons, or block prints.” Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *kápros Proto-Italic *kapros Latin caper Latin *capreus Vulgar Latin *capriō Old French chevronbor. Middle English cheveroun English chevron From Middle English cheveroun, from Old French chevron, the mark so called because it looks like rafters of a shallow roof, from Vulgar Latin *capriō, from Latin caper (“goat”), the likely connection between goats and rafters being the animal's horns.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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