moire
1 Americannoun
adjective
noun
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a design pressed on silk, rayon, etc., by engraved rollers.
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any silk, rayon, etc., fabric with a watery or wavelike appearance.
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Printing. an interference pattern of dots appearing in the print of process color.
adjective
noun
-
such a pattern, impressed on fabrics by means of engraved rollers
-
any fabric having such a pattern; moire
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Also: moiré pattern. a pattern seen when two geometrical patterns, such as grids, are visually superimposed
noun
Etymology
Origin of moire1
1650–60; < French < English mohair
Origin of moiré2
From French, dating back to 1810–20; see origin at moire, -ee
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When the twist angle becomes smaller, the moiré wavelength increases.
From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026
Another of them, rendered almost invisibly in shellac on deep cobalt blue moiré, circles around to give the exhibition its trenchant title: “Now then, as I was about to say …”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2024
But the human stain is not without a comic essence, too, which Ruscha drew out in a wonderful group of word-paintings on shiny moiré fabric.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2024
It was reimagined for the modern era, standing out with its sculptural construction and luxurious moiré fabric.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 22, 2024
Accordingly, she picked out a lavender moiré silk, trimmed with soft white lace at the throat and wrist.
From Patty at Home by Wells, Carolyn
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.