microfibre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Consumer
Quick answer
What does “microfibre” mean?
An extremely fine synthetic fibre, typically made of polyester or nylon, used to make textiles that are soft, lightweight, durable, and often with moisture-wicking properties.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An extremely fine synthetic fibre, typically made of polyester or nylon, used to make textiles that are soft, lightweight, durable, and often with moisture-wicking properties.
A fabric or material woven from microfibres, commonly used for cleaning cloths, sportswear, towels, bedding, and upholstery due to its dense weave and ability to trap dust, absorb liquids, and dry quickly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'microfibre' (UK) vs. 'microfiber' (US). Pronunciation follows the same pattern as 'fibre/fiber'. The word is equally common in both varieties within relevant contexts.
Connotations
Connotes modern, high-tech, and efficient materials, especially in cleaning and athletic wear. May have negative connotations related to microplastic pollution in environmental discussions.
Frequency
Most frequent in contexts related to textiles, cleaning products, home goods, and sportswear marketing. Less common in general everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “microfibre” in a Sentence
made of microfibrewoven from microfibrea cloth in microfibrecleaned with a microfibreVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “microfibre” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not standard as a verb]
American English
- [Not standard as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- She bought microfibre bedsheets.
- A microfibre mop is very effective.
American English
- He prefers microfiber cleaning cloths.
- The jacket has a microfiber lining.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail, manufacturing, and marketing of textiles and cleaning supplies.
Academic
Found in materials science, textile engineering, and environmental studies on microplastics.
Everyday
Common when discussing cleaning cloths, sportswear, bedding, or towels.
Technical
Refers to fibres with a denier (fibre thickness) less than 1.0.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “microfibre”
- Misspelling: 'microfiber' in UK contexts or 'microfibre' in US contexts.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I'll microfibre the table' is incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'microbead' (a different type of microplastic).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Microfibre is almost always synthetic, commonly made from polyester, polyamide (nylon), or a blend.
Their extremely fine fibres create a dense weave that can trap dust and absorb many times their weight in liquid without leaving lint.
Cotton is a natural, breathable fibre that absorbs water but can leave lint. Microfibre is synthetic, more abrasive for cleaning, highly absorbent, dries quickly, and is lint-free when high quality.
Yes. Washing microfibre textiles can release tiny plastic particles (microplastics) into wastewater, which may pollute oceans and enter the food chain.
An extremely fine synthetic fibre, typically made of polyester or nylon, used to make textiles that are soft, lightweight, durable, and often with moisture-wicking properties.
Microfibre is usually technical / consumer in register.
Microfibre: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪ.krəʊˌfaɪ.bə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪ.kroʊˌfaɪ.bɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MICRO' (very small) + 'FIBRE' (thread). It's a super-fine thread used to make high-tech cloths.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAIR/FILAMENT FOR CLEANING/COMFORT (The fibres act like tiny hairs that trap dust and absorb moisture).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key property of microfibre?