appliqué

American  

[ap-li-key] / ˌæp lɪˈkeɪ /

noun

1. ornamentation, as a cutout design, that is sewn on to or otherwise applied to a piece of material.

2. work so formed.

3. a decorative feature, as a sconce, applied to a surface.

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verb (used with object)

appliquéd, appliquéing

1. to apply as appliqué to.

appliqué British  

/ æˈpliːkeɪ /

noun

1. a decoration or trimming of one material sewn or otherwise fixed onto another

2. the practice of decorating in this way

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verb

1. (tr) to sew or fix (a decoration) on as an appliqué

Etymology

Origin of appliqué

1835–45; < French: applied, fastened to, past participle of appliquer to apply

Explanation

Applique is a sewing technique that involves stitching a small piece of fabric onto a larger one to make a pattern or design. You could decorate your jeans using applique, sewing flowers and stars on them. When you use applique to decorate something like a pillow or a handbag, you often cut out fabric shapes and sew or glue them on. Applique is the technique that's used to make sports or college banners as well, attaching letters to the triangular fabric. You can also spell the word with an accented e, appliqué, which gives you a clue about its pronunciation — the last syllable rhymes with "hay." The French root word is appliquer, "to apply."

Example Sentences

Gallina, 75, was clad in a floor-length dark green striped appliqué jacket and clutching a paper ticket when she declared the Olympics to be a nuisance that has “nothing to do with Milan’s essence.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

Cutting and sewing techniques allowed these prints to live anew as appliqué details.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 25, 2023

Originally, the patterns were inspired by traditional body painting, translated into colorful textiles in reverse appliqué worn as panels on women’s blouses.

From Washington Post • Apr. 15, 2022

The champagne-colored strapless gown gleaming with silver floral appliqué was the first of many elegant shoulder-baring looks to come and made successive state dinners — there would be a dozen more — must-follow events for the fashion flock.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2016

The velvet was further beautified by a two inch appliqué of silk violets on an old gold background.

From Marjorie Dean College Freshman by Lester, Pauline

Related Words

• color
• design
• finery
• ornament
• plaque
• ribbon
• trinket
• wreath