broadcloth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-frequency / SpecialisedFormal / Technical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “broadcloth” mean?
A dense, high-quality woven fabric, originally of wool, now often of cotton or blends, characterised by a plain weave and smooth finish, traditionally used for fine clothing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dense, high-quality woven fabric, originally of wool, now often of cotton or blends, characterised by a plain weave and smooth finish, traditionally used for fine clothing.
Can refer specifically to men's formal shirts made from such fabric; also, historically, a type of fine woolen cloth of significant width (a 'broad' cloth) that distinguished it from narrow cloths.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use the term identically for the fabric type. Historically, the term was associated with the British wool trade.
Connotations
UK: Slightly stronger historical/woollen association. US: More commonly associated with modern cotton dress shirts.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, found in similar contexts (tailoring, fashion, history).
Grammar
How to Use “broadcloth” in a Sentence
made of/from broadclotha suit/jacket/shirt of broadclothwoven into broadclothtailored in broadclothVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “broadcloth” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not standard as a verb]
American English
- [Not standard as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not standard as an adverb]
American English
- [Not standard as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- He preferred a broadcloth waistcoat for the wedding.
- The broadcloth suit was a mark of his station.
American English
- She ordered a broadcloth shirt for her husband.
- The uniform required a broadcloth jacket.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in fashion retail and textile manufacturing to describe a product category or material specification.
Academic
Used in historical, economic, and textile studies discussing medieval/Renaissance trade or fabric technology.
Everyday
Rare. Might be encountered in high-end clothing descriptions or by sewing enthusiasts.
Technical
Used in weaving and tailoring to specify a type of closely woven, plain fabric with a characteristic smooth nap or finish.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “broadcloth”
- Using 'broadcloth' to refer to any thick or wide cloth (it's about quality/weave, not just dimensions).
- Confusing it with 'broadloom' (which is carpet).
- Misspelling as 'broad cloth' (usually one word in modern usage).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For cotton fabrics, the terms are often used interchangeably in modern shirting. Both are plain weaves. Historically, broadcloth (wool) and poplin (silk/worsted) were distinct.
Originally, it referred to woolen cloth woven on a wide loom (typically over 1.5 metres), as opposed to 'narrow cloth', which was a regulated standard in medieval England.
It is considered a formal or business fabric, especially when used for dress shirts, suits, and tailored garments.
Traditionally, no. Modern usage sometimes extends to high-quality blends, but purists associate it with natural fibres like wool, cotton, or silk.
A dense, high-quality woven fabric, originally of wool, now often of cotton or blends, characterised by a plain weave and smooth finish, traditionally used for fine clothing.
Broadcloth: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɔːd.klɒθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɑːd.klɔːθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'broadcloth']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BROAD, smooth piece of CLOTH used for a formal suit—it's broadcloth.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS FINENESS OF WEAVE (broadcloth represents fine, dense, superior material).
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of traditional broadcloth?