moire

[ mwahr, mawr, mohr ]

/ mwɑr, mɔr, moʊr /

Save This Word!

noun

any moiré fabric.

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of moire

1650–60; <French <English mohair

Words nearby moire

moidore, moiety, moil, Moira, Moirai, moire, moiré effect, Moiseivich, Moiseyev, Moism, Moissan

Other definitions for moire (2 of 2)

moiré

[ mwah-rey, mawr-ey, mohr-ey; French mwa-rey ]

/ mwɑˈreɪ, ˈmɔr eɪ, ˈmoʊr eɪ; French mwaˈreɪ /

adjective

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

noun

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

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

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

Origin of moiré

From French, dating back to 1810–20; see origin at moire, -ee

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use moire in a sentence

The charges in twisted graphene are spread far too thin across the giant moiré cells to superconduct at high temperatures, but the bond holding them together — whether it’s skyrmions or something else — seems strong.
A New Twist Reveals Superconductivity’s Secrets|Charlie Wood|March 16, 2021|Quanta Magazine
In the Middle Ages moire was held in high esteem, and continues to enjoy that distinction down to the present day.
Textiles|William H. Dooley
At the present time moire work is done which costs as high as 25 cents per yard.
Textiles|William H. Dooley
How about little white moire paper boxes with some pretty flower on the cover?
Three Little Women|Gabrielle E. Jackson

The queen is costumed in a moire antique dress, of a showy color, hair hanging loosely over the shoulder.
Home Pastimes; or Tableaux Vivants|James H. Head
She is very tall and handsome, and was superb in a white lace shawl, a moire-antique with a train.
Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee|(His Son) Captain Robert E. Lee

British Dictionary definitions for moire (1 of 2)

moire

/ (mwɑː) /

noun

a fabric, usually silk, having a watered effect

Word Origin for moire

C17: from French, earlier mouaire, from mohair

British Dictionary definitions for moire (2 of 2)

moiré

/ (ˈmwɑːreɪ) /

adjective

having a watered or wavelike pattern

noun

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

any fabric having such a pattern; moire

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

Word Origin for moiré

C17: from French, from moire mohair

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012