moire

¹ American  

[mwahr, mawr, mohr] / mwɑr, mɔr, moʊr /

noun

1. any moiré fabric.

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moiré ² American  

[mwah-rey, mawr-ey, mohr-ey, mwa-rey] / mwɑˈreɪ, ˈmɔr eɪ, ˈmoʊr eɪ, mwaˈreɪ /

adjective

1. (of silks and other fabrics) presenting a watery or wavelike appearance.

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noun

1. a design pressed on silk, rayon, etc., by engraved rollers.

2. any silk, rayon, etc., fabric with a watery or wavelike appearance.

3. Printing. an interference pattern of dots appearing in the print of process color.

moiré ¹ British  

/ ˈmwɑːreɪ /

adjective

1. having a watered or wavelike pattern

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noun

1. such a pattern, impressed on fabrics by means of engraved rollers

2. any fabric having such a pattern; moire

3. Also: moiré pattern.  a pattern seen when two geometrical patterns, such as grids, are visually superimposed

moire ² British  

/ mwɑː /

noun

1. a fabric, usually silk, having a watered effect

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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

But the returns will arrive moire slowly than current spending suggests.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

The moire seen on the display isn’t visible in person.

From The Verge • Apr. 6, 2022

Leather coats came over moire pants came over printed python boots; ruby feathers and chunky knits came under tweed.

From New York Times • Feb. 27, 2020

Last month, Harry Styles put out his video for Lights Up in which he wears a blue silk moire suit designed by long-time collaborator Harris Reed.

From The Guardian • Nov. 16, 2019

“Upon my word, here’s a state of things!” cried the old lady, taking the seat of honor prepared for her, and settling the folds of her lavender moire with a great rustle.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott