fabric
FAB-rihk
Fabric (noun) means Cloth made by weaving or knitting fibres together. Example: “This fabric feels rough, so I would line it with something smoother.”
noun
1
Cloth made by weaving or knitting fibres together.
"This fabric feels rough, so I would line it with something smoother."
"She chose a soft cotton fabric for the curtains."
"The dress was made from a shimmering silk fabric."
2
The basic underlying structure of something, especially a society, building, or system.
"Small acts of kindness help hold together the fabric of a community."
"Corruption at every level was tearing at the fabric of society."
"Years of neglect had weakened the fabric of the old church."
How to use fabric
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither woven cloth, or (more abstractly) the basic structure holding something together.
Common pairings
woven fabric
the fabric of society
torn fabric
social fabric
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Word forms
- Plural
- fabrics
- Third person singular
- fabrics
- Past tense
- fabricked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This _____ feels rough, so I would line it with something smoother.
Etymology
From French fabrique, ultimately from Latin fabrica, "workshop" or "product of skilled work," from faber, "craftsman."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “fabric” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “fabric”?
“Fabric” is pronounced FAB-rihk (/ˈfæb.ɹɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “fabric” in a sentence?
Here is “fabric” used in a sentence: “She chose a soft cotton fabric for the curtains.”
What is another word for “fabric”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fabric” include cloth and textile.
What part of speech is “fabric”?
“Fabric” is a noun.
Where does the word “fabric” come from?
The word “fabric” comes from Latin. From French fabrique, ultimately from Latin fabrica, "workshop" or "product of skilled work," from faber, "craftsman.".
Is “fabric” a common word?
“Fabric” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “fabric” have?
“Fabric” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: cloth made by weaving or knitting fibres together.
What is the difference between fabric and textile?
'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.
What is the difference between fabric and cloth?
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.
What does the fabric of a building refer to?
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.
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