marquisette: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Technical / Formal / Specialized (Textiles, Interior Design)
Quick answer
What does “marquisette” mean?
A lightweight, sheer fabric, often with a leno weave, used for curtains, dresses, or mosquito netting.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A lightweight, sheer fabric, often with a leno weave, used for curtains, dresses, or mosquito netting.
Can refer to any fine, gauze-like textile with an open weave, as well as, historically, a type of lace. Its defining characteristic is its translucency and light weight.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling 'marquisette' is standard in both; British English may occasionally use 'marquise' for related lace, but not for this fabric.
Connotations
Connotes luxury, delicacy, and formal interior décor (e.g., sheer curtains). In a sewing context, it is a technical fabric name.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, used almost exclusively within textiles, fashion, or interior design fields.
Grammar
How to Use “marquisette” in a Sentence
[fabric/curtains] + made of/from + marquisettemarquisette + [noun] (e.g., marquisette drapes)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marquisette” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (Attributive use only, e.g., 'marquisette curtain')
American English
- N/A (Attributive use only, e.g., 'marquisette panel')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in textile manufacturing, wholesale, and interior design procurement (e.g., 'We stock 20-meter bolts of polyester marquisette.').
Academic
Appears in texts on textile history, fabric technology, or material culture studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Might appear in high-end home décor magazines or sewing patterns.
Technical
Precise term in weaving (a type of leno weave) and in specifying materials for theatrical scrims, insect screens, or formal window treatments.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marquisette”
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈmɑːr.kwɪ.zet/.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a marquisette' – incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'marquise' (a gemstone cut or title).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are sheer, marquisette is typically a leno-woven fabric which is more stable and often heavier than tulle, which is a very fine, hexagonal mesh netting.
Yes, historically and in vintage fashion, it was used for formal dresses, veils, and overlays. Today, it's more common in curtains and decorative fabrics than in everyday apparel.
It usually requires delicate handling. Gentle hand washing or professional dry cleaning is recommended, as machine washing can easily snag or tear the open weave.
It is a highly specific technical term from the textile industry. Most people refer to the general type (e.g., 'sheer curtains' or 'mesh') rather than the precise fabric name.
A lightweight, sheer fabric, often with a leno weave, used for curtains, dresses, or mosquito netting.
Marquisette is usually technical / formal / specialized (textiles, interior design) in register.
Marquisette: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɑː.kɪˈzet/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːr.kɪˈzet/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MARQUIS (a nobleman) wearing a light, fancy NET (**ette**) – a 'marquisette' is a fine, net-like fabric fit for nobility.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIGHTNESS IS DELICACY (The fabric's physical lightness maps onto aesthetic and functional delicacy).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts are you MOST likely to encounter the word 'marquisette'?