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• serge
  serge

  noun

  a twilled worsted or woolen fabric used especially for clothing.
• Serge
  Serge

  noun

  a male given name.

serge

¹ American  

[surj] / sɜrdʒ /

noun

1. a twilled worsted or woolen fabric used especially for clothing.

2. cotton, rayon, or silk in a twill weave.

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serge ² American  

[surj] / sɜrdʒ /

verb (used with object)

serged, serging

1. to overcast (unfinished seams or edges, as in a fabric or rug), especially by machine, in order to prevent fraying.

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Serge ³ American  

[surj, serzh] / sɜrdʒ, sɛrʒ /

noun

1. a male given name.

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serge British  

/ sɜːdʒ /

noun

1. a twill-weave woollen or worsted fabric used for clothing

2. a similar twilled cotton, silk, or rayon fabric

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Etymology

Origin of serge¹

1350–1400; < French; replacing Middle English sarge < Middle French < Vulgar Latin *sārica, for Latin sērica ( lāna ) Chinese (wool), i.e., silk; see seric-

Origin of serge²

Perhaps to be identified with serge ¹, though sense shift is unclear

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

serge Serge serged serging

“Many of the long-stay male patients were poorly attired; the fronts of their thick serge shirts were heavily stained with food and there was a dearth of ties,” they wrote.

From The New Yorker ● Feb. 25, 2019

Mina Van Winkle — the socialite social worker once known for her blue serge suit, white kid gloves, veil and “a faint hint of perfume” — died in 1933 at age 57.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 19, 2016

The man spots a Model-T pulling up and a young stranger getting out, dressed in a blue serge suit.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 19, 2012

It is a lot cheaper than spending big bucks with the physical therapist or orthopedist. — serge An important subject that deserves attention.

From New York Times ● Dec. 21, 2010

After a while Joe took a pocket Bible from the green serge army shirt he wore and began reading the Psalms to himself.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin

"A little bit of hunger is good for you," says Serge Pizzorno.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

Serge has welcomed the BBC into his studio to preview Kasabian's ninth album, Act III, 10 days before its release.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

The show starred some of the most iconic post-war ballet dancers — Serge Golovine, Rosella Hightower, Jacqueline Moreau — but Vérots didn’t focus on them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026

The doctor, identified as Peter Stafford of the Serge charity, had received care that included "experimental therapies currently being trialed for this type of virus", said the hospital.

From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026

From original Colourings in Cloth and Serge, &c.

From Ladies on Horseback Learning, Park-Riding, and Hunting, with Hints upon Costume, and Numerous Anecdotes by Nannie Lambert

Buttonholes should be overcasted or serged as soon as cut, with fine thread or silk, the stitches should be light, loose and even, this is done with a slanting stitch.

From The Copeland Method A Complete Manual for Cleaning, Repairing, Altering and Pressing All Kinds of Garments for Men and Women, at Home or for Busines by Vanness Copeland

This method takes the place of serging or overcasting and is much better for thin ravelly goods.

From The Copeland Method A Complete Manual for Cleaning, Repairing, Altering and Pressing All Kinds of Garments for Men and Women, at Home or for Busines by Vanness Copeland