fabric
(fæbrɪk )
Word forms: fabrics
1. variable noun
Fabric is cloth or other material produced by weaving together cotton, nylon, wool, silk, or other threads. Fabrics are used for making things such as clothes, curtains, and sheets.
...small squares of red cotton fabric.
Whatever your colour scheme, there's a fabric to match.
Synonyms: cloth, material, stuff, textile
2. singular noun
The fabric of a society or system is its basic structure, with all the customs and beliefs that make it work successfully.
The fabric of society has been deeply damaged by the previous regime. [+ of]
Years of civil war have wrecked the country's infrastructure and destroyed its social fabric.
Synonyms: framework, structure, make-up, organization
3. singular noun
The fabric of a building is its walls, roof, and the materials with which it is built.
Condensation will eventually cause the fabric of the building to rot away. [+ of]
Synonyms: structure, foundations, construction, framework
Image of fabric
© 08/05/2018, Shutterstock
Collocations:
fabric of society fabric print fabric sample fabric swatch fine fabric floral fabric high-tech fabric knitted fabric landscape fabric light fabric lightweight fabric luxurious fabric mesh fabric metallic fabric moral fabric outer fabric printed fabric recycled fabric rich fabric sheer fabric shiny fabric silky fabric social fabric soft fabric stretch fabric synthetic fabric textured fabric very fabric of waterproof fabric weave a fabric
Box all that up and you have more than the fabric of society.
Times, Sunday Times
The fabric of society requires just as much attention today.
Times, Sunday Times
Is there any greater sign that the very fabric of society has been destroyed?
The Sun
These distasteful slogans form part of the 'visible fabric of society'.
The Times Literary Supplement
It allows individuals to seek change, but if we simply choose which laws to obey and which to ignore, the fabric of society rapidly breaks down.
Times, Sunday Times
There will also be a casual fashion range of clothes and shoes in fabrics printed with the grafitti-inspired logo.
Times, Sunday Times
He has mentioned calico fabric prints done in a lotus design.
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He later switched to making soft sculptures out of defective fabric prints from a textile printing and dying factory.
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Fabric prints of clothing worn by pedestrians in the paint and/or road grime of the striking vehicle can match a specific vehicle involved in a hit-and-run collision.
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She had to keep meeting him to look at fabric samples and agree styles.
The Sun
She also studied blueprints, mood boards and fabric samples to concoct the products used for the scent in the development.
Times, Sunday Times
He spends much of his time reviewing forthcoming collections and fabric samples, as well as visiting shops.
Times,Sunday Times
Designs in gouache and fabric samples abound.
The Times Literary Supplement
The museum's permanent collection has its origins in 1835, when a collection of fabric samples from the many local textile factories was started.
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Each of the eighty-eight artists involved were asked to submit a 6-inch fabric swatch, which when put together would construct the whole.
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But some furniture firms will send out free fabric swatches, as well as throwing in delivery and assembly.
Times, Sunday Times
She loves nothing more than flicking through books of fabric swatches and cooking.
Times, Sunday Times
Before you start comparing fabric swatches at the till, be aware that your standoutfit doesn't have to match completely.
Times, Sunday Times
Fabric swatches for a sofa we bought in 1998.
Times, Sunday Times
A fine fabric such as washed linen or muslin works best, and will ruche up smaller.
Times, Sunday Times
Chic rooms feature fine fabrics and elegant furnishings, plus there's a wonderful health club with a spa.
Times, Sunday Times
Yet at neither place, for all the fine fabrics and plush furnishings, did the luxuries quite extend to cushioned walls.
Times, Sunday Times
We are synonymous with detailed craftsmanship and quality, together with our excellent choices of fine fabrics.
ST
Our room - one of six - had a fourposter bed, fine fabrics and shutters to keep out the midday glare.
Times,Sunday Times
Ascend the grand staircase to country house-style bedrooms with antiques and floral fabrics.
Times, Sunday Times
Empire-line frocks in floaty, floral fabrics are oh-so flattering for pear shapes.
The Sun
Sitting rooms are theatrical, with in-your-face wallpapers, jaunty floral fabrics and a mishmash of furniture in mossy velvets.
Times, Sunday Times
The bedrooms have jaunty stripes and floral fabrics; downstairs, there are loads of cosy corners for loved-up couples.
Times, Sunday Times
Its 19 bedrooms are quaintly cramped, with worn grey-stone floors, dainty reproduction armoires and floral fabrics.
Times, Sunday Times
As a seasoned pro, you know the practical value of lots of layers (especially jackets with removable linings), and high-tech fabrics are essential for you.
Times, Sunday Times
Anyway, bomber jackets are now chic, because sporty, athletic clothes and high-tech fabrics were all over the catwalks.
Times, Sunday Times
The high-tech fabrics carried texture well, allowing a flock pattern to be embossed on them for a modern effect.
Times, Sunday Times
On trend with its architectural silhouettes and high-tech fabrics, the basis of the collection were the curved seams and a moulded, almost cocooning structure to many of the outfits.
Times, Sunday Times
Casting on creates a foundation row of stitches, forming the basis of your knitted fabric.
Times, Sunday Times
By contrast, true pleats can be made by folding the knitted fabric over and knitting the matching stitches together pairwise.
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This narrow gauge should be considered when changing from the cable stitch to another type of knitted fabric.
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The original slip knot can also be pulled out (after a few rows have been knitted) without damaging the knitted fabric.
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The city also contains factories of light industry production (such as knitted fabric, shoe fabric, and furniture fabric), paper production plant, and a packing plant.
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I would then use some landscape fabric, covering all the soil to create a barrier between the new soil and the ground.
Times, Sunday Times
Plastic trays, 50cm x 50cm, clip together and placed on to the roof (simply landscape fabric beneath).
Times, Sunday Times
Do you put the landscape fabric down over the grass?
Globe and Mail
Always put landscape fabric beneath when decking over soil or a lawn.
Times, Sunday Times
In the case of soil erosion prevention, a few common practices include the use of silt fences, landscape fabric with grass seed and hydroseeding.
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And it doesn't compromise your breathing either - the airy fit lets you look good and still be comfortable, thanks to the loose and light fabric.
The Sun
Soft, light fabric worn in drapes or gathers.
Times, Sunday Times
Gas light had to be filtered by opal glass or light fabric shades.
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Inferior karategi are often cut from a light fabric similar to that of a summer shirt.
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He uses noble materials such as taffeta, organza, noble and satin paired with more fluid and light fabrics.
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It's a great, lightweight fabric, stitched with gold on the inside and it's just delectable.
The Sun
It's made from lightweight fabric and comes in ten colours.
The Sun
The lightweight fabric makes this voluminous new shape more flattering.
Times, Sunday Times
The towers are made from tubes of lightweight fabric 1.4 meters in diameter.
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It will often be made of a lightweight fabric and will frequently be sleeveless.
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Any nightdress in a luxurious fabric, such as silk or satin, always seems to be strappy.
Times, Sunday Times
Begin with beautiful blindfolds, preferably made from a luxurious fabric such as satin or velvet, tied loosely.
Times, Sunday Times
The clean angles of the spartan setting provide a dramatic backdrop, and the gilded curves and luxurious fabric offer a visual contrast to the rest of the room.
Times, Sunday Times
Cotton can also be used, though this often results in a slightly less luxurious fabric.
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It means sportswear-influenced clothing, made in more luxurious fabrics than you'd find on a football pitch or a tennis court.
Times, Sunday Times
Mesh fabric lightweight spit guards are meant to stop suspects infecting cops by spitting and biting.
The Sun
The degree of detail in needlepoint depends on the thread count of the underlying mesh fabric.
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Different types of mesh fabric options are available from standard fiberglass mesh, pet screen resistant mesh and solar screen mesh.
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Gym shorts, racer backs, gofaster stripes, silk bomber jackets, hightech mesh fabrics, they all went down the spring/summer catwalks.
Times, Sunday Times
Take a pair of cap sleeves and a dash of metallic fabric.
Times, Sunday Times
From metallic fabrics to sequinned necklines, fashion has got a real gilt-y streak.
The Sun
As the web of channels was the place where daily life took place, so also did people and animals appear in the metallic fabric of cast semi-filigree earrings.
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With metallic fabrics and chic accessories, it looks luxurious.
The Sun
The 15 rooms are a riot of floral patterns and metallic fabrics, all with kingsize beds.
Times, Sunday Times
My father never had much time for complaints that 'consumerism' was undermining the moral fabric of society.
Times, Sunday Times
He knew something was fundamentally wrong with the moral fabric of society, and he predicted it was only a matter of time before the whole 'bonanza' came tumbling down.
Times, Sunday Times
However, his books mainly deal with the moral fabric of life.
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During this period hundreds of informal associations were established for the purpose of improving the social, intellectual, and moral fabric of society.
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These have a warm lining or an extra layer between the outer fabric and the lining.
Times,Sunday Times
They established that a length of inside lining had torn but the outer fabric was intact, so she was able to walk on stage as planned, above.
Times, Sunday Times
The aerodynamically clean, tapered, elliptical rear section was built around four longerons, with a plywood skin and outer fabric sheath.
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The common color for the outer fabric was black, while for the inner, black, green, or red were used.
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Colors of upan varied, however the lining was always of a different color than the outer fabric.
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We spent a lot of money on oilcloth one season - we bought coarsely printed fabric to create different garments - but the whole project turned into a bit of a nightmare.
Times, Sunday Times
By cutting out birds, flowers and other motifs from printed fabric and sewing them onto a large homespun cloth a beautiful bedspread could be made.
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Printed fabric was expensive even for those who were well off.
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Its collections survey the evolvement of textile making over the centuries, particularly printed fabrics.
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These colorful, small-patterned printed fabrics gave rise to the use of the word calico to describe a cat coat color: calico cat.
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Some of the most extravagantly decorative buys are made with recycled fabrics.
Times, Sunday Times
All 16 pieces have been made with recycled fabrics at eco factories, which use less water and energy.
The Sun
Made using organic textiles and recycled fabrics.
Times, Sunday Times
They want people to wear clothes for longer, seek out recycled fabrics and consider renting outfits rather than buying them.
Times, Sunday Times
This year just focus on substance over style, because shorts made of recycled fabrics are all the rage.
Times, Sunday Times
These are not aberrations to be purged; they reflect, harbour and nurture - are essential to - the rich fabric of community culture.
Times, Sunday Times
The growing population also supported a rich fabric of organizations and activities in the 1920s.
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The documentation centre has an extensive library specialising in textile and fashion, a photographic archive and a rich fabric collection.
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The students come from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, each of which contributes value to the rich fabric of the academic culture.
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Inside, expect rich fabrics, antiques and a galleried sitting room with an inglenook fireplace and french doors that lead to a riverside terrace.
Times, Sunday Times
Other challenges include adapting floral curtains into a garment of choice and creating a blouse from sheer fabric.
Times, Sunday Times
The upper garment of the sculpture fits tightly to the body and appears to be made of a sheer fabric.
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Organdy (a sheer fabric), lawn, and batiste begin as the same greige goods.
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Sometimes, the higher vacuum power of central vacuum may require reduction (for example, when cleaning a delicate sheer fabric curtain).
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Look for sheer fabrics to lighten the bulk of the material or high-neck styles with detailing to make your ensemble look even more striking.
The Sun
Chrome, glass, shiny fabrics and mirrors were used to decorate aeroplanes, cars, cruise liners and skyscrapers.
Times, Sunday Times
Ditto shiny fabrics and chunks of crystal and metal embellishment.
Times, Sunday Times
Never wear thick jumpers and avoid shiny fabrics and polo necks at all costs.
The Sun
It's also worth avoiding large patterns or horizontal stripes and shiny fabrics, which will only emphasise your curves.
Times, Sunday Times
The clothing in both areas may be made up of bright coloration and shiny fabrics.
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A silky fabric softens the impact.
Times, Sunday Times
They look best in silky fabrics with a loose cut.
Times, Sunday Times
If you are tall, billowing silky fabrics will work for you.
Times, Sunday Times
Look for cute cartoon prints on silky fabrics.
Times, Sunday Times
He added that this would help create 'a more cohesive and stable social fabric'.
Times, Sunday Times
If the government wants better rounded citizens, it should look to the educational system and our social fabric, not to the ministry of defence.
Times,Sunday Times
Of course, many people do this, but only a tiny handful are celebrated for it, are seen as indispensable threads in the social fabric.
Christianity Today
The whole social fabric of our world would be mended at a stroke.
Times, Sunday Times
But the malign effects of their actions on the rest of the population and the social fabric are insufficiently described.
Times, Sunday Times
The soft fabric complements the powderpink shade, as do the lilac and red sandals.
The Sun
Much attention has been given to the texture of fabrics, with fine wool sofas, plush grey carpets, leather-backed chairs and even wallpaper made of soft fabric.
Times, Sunday Times
Through the 1570s, a soft fabric hat with a gathered crown was worn.
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In the 1920s the term referred to a simply shaped brassiere, usually of a soft fabric and delicate trimmings providing little support or shaping.
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Look for belted cardigans, mix tailoring with soft fabrics, invest in one nice piece of jewellery and buy a good, but not too flashy, handbag.
Times, Sunday Times
Made from crease-resistant stretch fabric, this number holds its shape, so you're ready for that meeting at the other end.
Times, Sunday Times
Stretch fabric gently to stop seams from puckering.
Times, Sunday Times
Eight tight-fitting jumpsuits in a variety of bright colors were created using the stretch fabric crimplene.
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Peregrine wears a suit of synthetic stretch fabric that incorporates an anti-gravity generator system which emits and controls anti-gravitons, enabling him to counteract gravitational attraction.
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He wears synthetic stretch fabric, specially treated to resist the rigors of high velocity movement.
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Furniture (upholstery included) rugs, draperies, unscratchable floors - all are made of synthetic fabric or waterproof plastic.
The Sun
Against this synthetic fabric, even the best voice sounds imperfect, he tells us, and has to be auto-tuned to avoid a 'hen party singalong' effect.
Times, Sunday Times
And don't wear synthetic fabric: it's a fire hazard.
Times, Sunday Times
Milk proteins have also been used to create synthetic fabric.
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Made of fiber, the seats have a padded backrest in synthetic fabric.
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Original sleeves were printed on a textured fabric.
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Windows were de-emphasised in favour of creating a strong sense of shape and mass, the surrounding walls treated as textured fabric, dressing the building underneath.
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She says that they are also keen on natural fabrics such as silk and cashmere, with textured fabrics rather than patterns to inject interest.
Times, Sunday Times
When they did come, colours were brooding and theatrical, made all the more so by appearing on richly textured fabrics such as panne velvet and devoré.
Times, Sunday Times
It also looks good juxtaposted with cashmere or other textured fabrics.
Times, Sunday Times
Technology will alter the very fabric of legal life.
Times, Sunday Times
Or, in other words, heretical ideas were part of the very fabric of a liberal society; conspiracies were its undoing.
The Times Literary Supplement
Pray that the very fabric of our city-in many ways a mix of hedonism and nihilism-would be changed by these new and growing gospel communities.
Christianity Today
Is there any greater sign that the very fabric of society has been destroyed?
The Sun
All state institutions had collapsed, the very fabric of societal life eroded beyond recognition, traditional means of justice had fallen apart.
Times, Sunday Times
Fame came in 1823, when he patented a waterproof fabric.
Times, Sunday Times
It has been manufactured with approximately 5,200 square metres of waterproof fabric that will allow natural light to penetrate and should be capable of closing in about ten minutes.
Times, Sunday Times
It could be covered with a waterproof fabric with a pink zipper.
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The term also refers to a waterproof fabric of wool.
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Later they frequently wore coats and hats made from a waterproof fabric called tarpaulin.
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I'm trying to weave a fabric that goes from a structure into a chiffon, but the loom doesn't exist.
Times, Sunday Times
Men take a full part in household management, often cook, and are traditionally the makers and repairers of clothing (but do not weave the fabric).
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They spin the wool sheared by men and weave the fabric from which their tents are made.
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The company only weaves the fabric, another dyes the yarn, while a third washes, dries and finishes the material.
Times, Sunday Times
Translations:
Chinese: 织品
Japanese: 織物
- sparingly
- spark
- spark a backlash
- spark a battle
- spark a blaze
- spark a complaint
- spark a controversy
- spark a conversation
- spark a crisis
- spark a debate
- spark a desire
- spark a fight
- spark a fire
- spark a flurry
- spark a frenzy
- spark a hunt
- spark an explosion
- spark anger
- spark an idea
- spark an interest
- spark an outcry
- spark a passion
- spark a rally
- spark a reaction
- spark a revival