marocain: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical (Fashion/Textiles)
Quick answer
What does “marocain” mean?
A type of fine, ribbed crepe fabric, often made from silk or rayon, with a distinctive pebbly texture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of fine, ribbed crepe fabric, often made from silk or rayon, with a distinctive pebbly texture.
A garment or fashion item made from this fabric, particularly associated with elegant evening wear or lingerie from the early to mid-20th century.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes vintage luxury, haute couture, and specific historical fashion periods (e.g., 1920s-1950s).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Almost exclusively found in fashion history texts, museum catalogues, or vintage clothing descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “marocain” in a Sentence
[garment] + made of/from + marocainmarocain + [noun (dress, blouse, fabric)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marocain” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The marocain fabric draped beautifully.
- She sourced a rare marocain sample for the exhibition.
American English
- The designer favored marocain for her fall collection.
- A marocain blouse from the 1930s was on display.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in niche textile import/export or luxury vintage fashion retail.
Academic
Used in fashion history, textile studies, and costume conservation papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Precise term in textile classification and historical garment description.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marocain”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marocain”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marocain”
- Using it to mean 'a person from Morocco'.
- Using it as a general adjective for anything Moroccan.
- Misspelling as 'moroccan' or 'marocaine'.
- Assuming it is a common or current fashion term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it derives from the French word for Moroccan, in English it is exclusively a noun referring to a specific type of ribbed crepe fabric.
No, it is primarily a historical fabric associated with early-to-mid 20th century fashion. It is rarely produced or referred to in contemporary mainstream fashion.
In English, it functions attributively as a noun modifier (e.g., 'a marocain dress'), but it is not used as a general descriptive adjective meaning 'from Morocco'.
It has a distinctive, fine, pebbled or crinkled texture created by a tightly twisted yarn in a crepe weave, often with a crosswise rib.
A type of fine, ribbed crepe fabric, often made from silk or rayon, with a distinctive pebbly texture.
Marocain is usually formal, technical (fashion/textiles) in register.
Marocain: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmærəˈkeɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmærəˈkeɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a luxurious gown from a CASABLANCA-era film; the fabric has a fine, pebbly texture – that's MAROCAIN (sounds like 'Moroccan', hinting at exotic luxury).
Conceptual Metaphor
FABRIC IS A CULTURAL ARTEFACT (it borrows a geographical name for perceived exotic quality).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the word 'marocain'?