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noun

taffeta

TA-fih-tuh
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Taffeta (noun) means a crisp, smooth, shiny woven fabric, traditionally made of silk but often synthetic today. Example: “The bridesmaids wore dresses made of pale blue taffeta.”

noun
1
A crisp, smooth, shiny woven fabric, traditionally made of silk but often synthetic today.
"The bridesmaids wore dresses made of pale blue taffeta."
"For a festive dinner, the belles pull out the stops. “Pull it tighter,” one urges as her corset is laced. Having unearthed their taffeta gowns from deep storage, they show off pinched waists, bare arms, throats and shoulders." — Ruth La Ferla, In ‘The Beguiled,’ Pretty Confections Whipped Up to Seduce (2017)

How to use taffeta

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA stiff, shiny fabric often used for formal dresses.

Common pairings
a taffeta gown rustling taffeta
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Word forms

Plural
taffetas
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The bridesmaids wore dresses made of pale blue _____.

Etymology

From Old French taffetas, tracing back through Medieval Latin to a Persian word meaning "woven" or "twisted."

Origin: Medieval Latin

Rhymes for taffeta

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Frequently asked questions

What does “taffeta” mean?
The word “taffeta” means a crisp, smooth, shiny woven fabric, traditionally made of silk but often synthetic today. In plain terms, a stiff, shiny fabric often used for formal dresses.
How do you pronounce “taffeta”?
“Taffeta” is pronounced TA-fih-tuh (/ˈtæ.fɪ.tə/ in IPA).
How do you use “taffeta” in a sentence?
Here is “taffeta” used in a sentence: “The bridesmaids wore dresses made of pale blue taffeta.”
What part of speech is “taffeta”?
“Taffeta” is a noun.
Where does the word “taffeta” come from?
The word “taffeta” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French taffetas, tracing back through Medieval Latin to a Persian word meaning "woven" or "twisted.".