a twilled worsted or woolen fabric used especially for clothing.
cotton, rayon, or silk in a twill weave.
a twill-weave woollen or worsted fabric used for clothing
a similar twilled cotton, silk, or rayon fabric
1350–1400; < French; replacing Middle English sarge < Middle French < Vulgar Latin *sārica, for Latin sērica ( lāna ) Chinese (wool), i.e., silk; see seric-
Perhaps to be identified with serge 1, though sense shift is unclear
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“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
He wore a blue serge suit and a white necktie stained with orange juice.
From "Stuart Little" by E.B. White
“Nobody knows Paze,” says Serge Elkiner, who runs it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 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
Stafford is one of three medical missionaries with Serge — a nonprofit based in Jenkintown, Penn. — who were exposed to the virus.
From MarketWatch ● May 18, 2026
The Blue Serge Man stepped forward into the room and faltered.
From The Sick-a-Bed Lady And Also Hickory Dock, The Very Tired Girl, The Happy-Day, Something That Happened in October, The Amateur Lover, Heart of The City, The Pink Sash, Woman's Only Business by Abbott, Eleanor Hallowell
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 Copeland, Vanness
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 Copeland, Vanness
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.
