English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

brocade

bruh-KAYD

Brocade (noun) means a heavy fabric woven with a raised, often ornate pattern, traditionally in gold or silver thread. Example: “The curtains were made of a rich gold brocade.”

noun
1
A heavy fabric woven with a raised, often ornate pattern, traditionally in gold or silver thread.
"The curtains were made of a rich gold brocade."
"She wore a jacket cut from antique silk brocade."
verb
1
To weave a raised decorative pattern into fabric.
"The weavers brocaded the silk with images of birds and flowers."

How to use brocade

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA fancy, textured fabric with a raised pattern woven right into it, rather than printed on top.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "brocaded" objects (things covered in brocade) with the raw fabric itself.

Common pairings
gold brocade silk brocade brocade fabric brocaded jacket

Word forms

brocaded past tense, brocades plural, brocades singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “brocade” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The curtains were made of a rich gold _____.

Etymology

From French brocart and Italian broccato, ultimately from a Gaulish root meaning a spike or shoot — the same root that gives us "broccoli."

Origin: French

Rhymes for brocade

See all rhymes for brocade →

Frequently asked questions

What does “brocade” mean?

The word “brocade” means a heavy fabric woven with a raised, often ornate pattern, traditionally in gold or silver thread. In plain terms, a fancy, textured fabric with a raised pattern woven right into it, rather than printed on top.

How do you pronounce “brocade”?

“Brocade” is pronounced bruh-KAYD (/bɹəˈkeɪd/ in IPA).

How do you use “brocade” in a sentence?

Here is “brocade” used in a sentence: “The curtains were made of a rich gold brocade.”

What part of speech is “brocade”?

Depending on how it is used, “brocade” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “brocade” come from?

The word “brocade” comes from French. From French brocart and Italian broccato, ultimately from a Gaulish root meaning a spike or shoot — the same root that gives us "broccoli.".

How many meanings does “brocade” have?

“Brocade” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy fabric woven with a raised, often ornate pattern, traditionally in gold or silver thread.

Featured in

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial