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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

She herself was in the dining room, pinning pattern pieces on a length of dark blue serge.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

The wingers ahead of them, Serge Gnabry and Michael Olise, push the defensive line back.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

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

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

“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

Our son Serge on his way to his estate had been overtaken by a telegram from his wife who had sent it at our daughter Alexandra's request, and he was already with his father.

From Autobiography of Countess Tolstoy by Sophie Andreevna Tolstoy

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