fabric

The word “fabric” means cloth made by weaving or knitting fibres together. In plain terms, either woven cloth, or (more abstractly) the basic structure holding something together.

“Fabric” is pronounced FAB-rihk (/ˈfæb.ɹɪk/ in IPA).

Here is “fabric” used in a sentence: “She chose a soft cotton fabric for the curtains.”

Words with a similar meaning to “fabric” include cloth and textile.

“Fabric” is a noun.

The word “fabric” comes from Latin. From French fabrique, ultimately from Latin fabrica, "workshop" or "product of skilled work," from faber, "craftsman.".

“Fabric” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Fabric” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: cloth made by weaving or knitting fibres together.

'Textile' is the broader, more technical term for any material made from fibres, including industrial materials. 'Fabric' usually means cloth produced by weaving or knitting fibres, especially cloth used for clothing or furnishings. In everyday use the two words largely overlap.

The two words are close synonyms for woven or knitted material. 'Cloth' is the plainer everyday word and can also mean a piece of material used for a task, such as a cleaning cloth, while 'fabric' is slightly more formal and is preferred in sewing, fashion, and retail contexts.

In construction and architecture, the fabric of a building means its basic physical structure — the walls, floors, and roof — as opposed to its fittings, services, or decoration. Surveyors use the phrase when assessing the condition of the structure itself.