gabardine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, specialized (fashion/textiles), historical
Quick answer
What does “gabardine” mean?
A tough, tightly woven fabric, typically made of wool or cotton, used especially for suits, overcoats, and trousers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tough, tightly woven fabric, typically made of wool or cotton, used especially for suits, overcoats, and trousers.
A coat, raincoat, or suit made from this fabric; historically, a long, loose gown or smock worn in the Middle Ages.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'gabardine' is standard in both, but 'gabar dine' is an occasional variant. The word is equally recognized in both varieties but might be considered slightly old-fashioned.
Connotations
Connotes durability, classic tailoring, and often a certain formality or traditional style (e.g., a trench coat).
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in general language; higher in contexts of fashion, tailoring, and historical costume.
Grammar
How to Use “gabardine” in a Sentence
[fabric] made of gabardine[garment] in gabardinea suit of gabardineVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gabardine” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The gabardine trench coat is a timeless piece.
- He preferred gabardine trousers for their neat drape.
American English
- She wore a classic gabardine skirt.
- The suit's gabardine fabric held a sharp crease.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of textile manufacturing, retail (e.g., 'The autumn collection features premium wool gabardine').
Academic
Used in historical studies of dress and textile history.
Everyday
Most commonly encountered when shopping for or describing classic coats or suits.
Technical
A specific weave (a firm warp-faced twill) creating a diagonal rib on the fabric's surface.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gabardine”
- Using 'gabardine' to refer to any raincoat (it's a specific material).
- Misspelling as 'gaberdine' (an acceptable historical variant, but less common for the fabric).
- Pronouncing it /ɡəbɑːrˈdiːn/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Gabardine is the fabric. The iconic Burberry trench coat was originally made from gabardine, but 'trench coat' refers to the style of the garment.
Yes. While originally and commonly made from worsted wool, cotton gabardine is very popular, especially for raincoats and summer suits due to its lighter weight.
It depends on the fibre (wool vs. cotton). Generally, wool gabardine suits should be professionally dry-cleaned. Cotton gabardine garments can often be gently machine-washed. Always check the care label.
In modern usage, 'gabardine' is the standard spelling for the fabric. 'Gaberdine' is an older variant, often used in historical contexts to refer to a long, loose cloak or smock.
A tough, tightly woven fabric, typically made of wool or cotton, used especially for suits, overcoats, and trousers.
Gabardine is usually formal, specialized (fashion/textiles), historical in register.
Gabardine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡæbədiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡæbərˌdiːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GABardine suit as being fit for a British 'gab' (talk) in Parliament – formal, durable, and traditional.
Conceptual Metaphor
DURABILITY IS WEAVING (A tightly woven character/fabric); TRADITION IS TAILORED CLOTHING.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of gabardine fabric?