shirr

American  

[shur] / ʃɜr /

verb (used with object)

1. to draw up or gather (cloth or the like) on three or more parallel threads.

2. to bake (eggs removed from the shell) in a shallow dish or in individual dishes.

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noun

1. Also shirring. a shirred arrangement, as of cloth.

shirr British  

/ ʃɜː /

verb

1. to gather (fabric) into two or more parallel rows to decorate a dress, blouse, etc, often using elastic thread

2. (tr) to bake (eggs) out of their shells

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noun

1. a series of gathered rows decorating a dress, blouse, etc

Other Word Forms

• unshirred adjective

Etymology

Origin of shirr

First recorded in 1840–50; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

It was 2020 when Styles became the first man to appear alone on the cover of Vogue wearing a long, shirred gown by Gucci.

From Washington Post

Kramer performs mostly seated on a chair, her hair pearly and glowing, the skin of her bare arms like shirred silk.

From Washington Post

There was a lot of shirring and Breton stripes.

From New York Times

If eggs are baked at all, they’re often plopped into ramekins, along with cream, for some version of shirred eggs.

From New York Times

Chef Tim Brown regularly updates the menu with plenty of boat-fresh seafood and inspired small plates like shirred duck egg topped with duck confit, caramelized ramps and fresh figs.

From Washington Post