Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense hems, present participle hemming, past tense, past participle hemmed
1. countable noun
A hem on something such as a piece of clothing is an edge that is folded over and stitched down to prevent threads coming loose. The hem of a skirt or dress is the bottom edge.
Synonyms: edge, border, margin, trimming More Synonyms of hem
2. verb
If you hem something, you form a hem along its edge.
Turn under and hem the outer edges. [VERB noun]
Each dress is hemmed and scrupulously checked for imperfections. [VERB noun]
3. hem and haw
Phrasal verbs:
See hem in
hem in British English1
(hɛm)
noun
1.
an edge to a piece of cloth, made by folding the raw edge under and stitching it down
2. short for hemline
verbWord forms: hems, hemming or hemmed(transitive)
3.
to provide with a hem
4. (usually foll byin, around, or about)
to enclose or confine
Word origin
Old English hemm; related to Old Frisian hemme enclosed land
hem in British English2
(hɛm)
noun, exclamation
1.
a representation of the sound of clearing the throat, used to gain attention, express hesitation, etc
verbWord forms: hems, hemming or hemmed
2. (intransitive)
to utter this sound
3. hem and haw
hem- in British English
combining form
a US variant of haemo-
hem in American English1
(hɛm)
noun
1.
the border on a garment or piece of cloth, usually made by folding the edge and sewing it down
2.
any border, edge, or margin
verb transitiveWord forms: hemmed or ˈhemming
3.
to fold back the edge of and sew down; put a hem or hems on
Idioms:
hem in
Word origin
ME < OE, akin to MLowG ham, enclosed piece of land < IE base *kem-, to compress, impede > hamper1
hem in American English2
(hɛm: conventionalized pronun.)
interjection, noun
1.
(used to suggest) the sound made in clearing the throat
verb intransitiveWord forms: hemmed or ˈhemming
2.
to make this sound, as in trying to get attention or in showing doubt
Idioms:
hem and haw
hem- in American English
(him; hɛm)
hemo-
used before a vowel
Examples of 'hem' in a sentence
hem
This also allows for top hem and base seam.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
It quickly and simply converts into flat bed mode for sewing seams and wide hems.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The top edge is then turned under to form a plain hem.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
Turn up hem edges of strip and stitch in place.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
Place one half centrally to right side of hemmed edge of one piece.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
Pin and stitch the other half of tape centrally to hemmed edge of second piece.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
Most successful were the structured dresses with asymmetric hems.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But she quickly grabbed the hem of her dress to protect her modesty.
The Sun (2012)
What partner could cope with the sort of intensity that makes the hem of a skirt the focus of your world?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Pin and stitch all round cloth, close to folded hem edge.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
It's used for securing the hem of a skirt made from a stretchy fabric.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
With tears in their eyes, they touched her linen hem and cheered this oracle of better things to come.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In this issue, we are merely trying to touch the hem of the robes of those men and women.
Christianity Today (2000)
Equally, a night spent tugging at dress straps or getting used to alien hem lengths is neither enjoyable nor chic.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Keep the dangling thread factor to a minimum, or turn up the battered edge of the hem for increased propriety.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
To change the length of a hem, you will first need to unpick the old stitches and press the fabric flat to remove the old creases.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The only problem was that, with his shirt tucked in, they had no real opportunity to touch his hem.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Great on any figure as there's no set shape or hem length, you just need the personality to carry it off.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They look awful with most jackets, dreadful with coats shorter than the dress 's hem and are best worn with a cardigan or a really baggy jumper.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It was a region of uniform old growth, mostly hem- lock, no recent lumbering, few landmarks.
various
Word lists with
hem
parts of clothes, parts of clothing
In other languages
hem
British English: hem NOUN
A hem on something such as a piece of clothing is an edge that is folded over and stitched down to prevent threads coming loose.
She lifted the hem of her dress and brushed her knees.