hopsacking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Proficient)Specialized/Technical (Textiles, Tailoring)
Quick answer
What does “hopsacking” mean?
A coarse, loosely woven fabric, typically made of cotton or wool, with a rough, basket-like texture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A coarse, loosely woven fabric, typically made of cotton or wool, with a rough, basket-like texture.
The term can also refer to garments, especially suits or jackets, made from this fabric, which are known for their casual, textured appearance and durability.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between UK and US English. The term is used identically in tailoring and fabric industries.
Connotations
Connotes durability, casualness, a rustic or natural look, and is often associated with spring/summer suits or sport coats.
Frequency
Low-frequency term in general language. Usage is concentrated in the domains of tailoring, menswear, and textiles in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “hopsacking” in a Sentence
[garment] + made of + hopsackinghopsacking + [noun: suit/jacket/fabric][adjective: lightweight/brown] + hopsackingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hopsacking” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The hopsacking material was perfect for the country suit.
American English
- He preferred a hopsacking sport coat for summer weddings.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in textile manufacturing, wholesale fabric descriptions, and retail (especially menswear) to specify a fabric type.
Academic
Appears in texts on textile history, weaving techniques, and the history of costume/material culture.
Everyday
Extremely rare in everyday conversation unless discussing specific clothing or fabric shopping in detail.
Technical
Standard term in tailoring, fabric merchandising, and weaving to describe a specific open, plain weave structure that creates a slubbed, irregular surface.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hopsacking”
- Misspelling as 'hopsacking' (double 'p').
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to hopsack').
- Confusing it with 'burlap' or 'hessian', which are much coarser and not typically used for tailored garments.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common in menswear (suits, jackets, trousers), hopsacking fabric can also be used for women's tailored jackets, skirts, and even home decor like upholstery.
Both are textured, but tweed is usually heavier, woolen, and often has a patterned design (like herringbone). Hopsacking is typically a plain, open weave made from cotton or wool, resulting in a more uniform, nubby texture.
Traditionally, it's a spring/summer fabric due to its breathability. However, heavier wool hopsacking can be suitable for milder winter days. It is not a heavy winter fabric like melton or cashmere.
Essentially, yes. 'Hopsack' is often used as a shorter form for the fabric ('hopsack cloth'), while 'hopsacking' is the full noun form. They are interchangeable in most contexts.
A coarse, loosely woven fabric, typically made of cotton or wool, with a rough, basket-like texture.
Hopsacking is usually specialized/technical (textiles, tailoring) in register.
Hopsacking: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒpsækɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːpsækɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SACK for HOPS (used in beer) – it's made of rough, coarse fabric. Hopsacking fabric has that same rough, sack-like texture.
Conceptual Metaphor
TEXTURE IS SUBSTANCE (The rough texture metaphorically represents durability, practicality, and a non-pretentious character).
Practice
Quiz
In which industry is the term 'hopsacking' primarily used?