moire: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “moire” mean?
A fabric, typically silk, with a wavy or rippled, watered pattern that changes appearance with movement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fabric, typically silk, with a wavy or rippled, watered pattern that changes appearance with movement.
The wavy visual pattern itself, which can appear on fabric, metal, glass, or in digital displays (moiré effect) due to interference between superimposed grids.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'Moire' is standard for fabric in both. In technical contexts, the accented form 'moiré' is more common in AmE, while BrE may use either.
Connotations
In BrE, strongly associated with formalwear (e.g., royal sashes). In AmE, also common in discussions of digital imaging and screen printing.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but technical use (moiré pattern) is more frequent in AmE due to tech industry.
Grammar
How to Use “moire” in a Sentence
[fabric/material] + is made of moireThe + [image/screen] + shows a moiré effect[Verb: create/avoid/produce] + a moiré patternVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “moire” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The calendering process will moire the silk, giving it that characteristic lustre.
- If the screens are misaligned, they will moire unacceptably.
American English
- The printer software can moire the image if the resolution is too low.
- Be careful not to moire the fabric by over-pressing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In luxury textiles: 'The new evening gown collection features imported moire.'
Academic
In physics/optics: 'The study quantifies the moiré pattern interference in bilayer graphene.'
Everyday
Rare. Possibly: 'Her wedding dress had a beautiful, shimmery moire pattern.'
Technical
In printing/photography: 'Scanning the halftone image produced an unwanted moiré effect.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “moire”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “moire”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “moire”
- Mispronouncing it as 'moy-er' or 'mwar'.
- Using 'moire' as a verb (e.g., 'The fabric moires').
- Confusing it with 'mohair' (a type of wool).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word. It is specialised, used mainly in contexts of luxury fashion, textiles, and technical fields like optics, printing, and digital imaging.
Traditionally, 'moire' (without accent) refers to the fabric. 'Moiré' (with accent) refers to the pattern or effect, especially in technical contexts. In modern usage, particularly in American English, the accented form is often used for both.
Yes, but it is highly specialised and rare. It means to give a moire pattern to fabric, or (in technical contexts) to produce a moiré interference pattern.
By changing the angle of the camera relative to the subject's pattern, using a softer focus, or in post-production, using software tools like a blur filter or a 'moire reduction' function.
A fabric, typically silk, with a wavy or rippled, watered pattern that changes appearance with movement.
Moire is usually formal/technical in register.
Moire: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmwɑːreɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /mwɑˈreɪ/ or /mɔːˈreɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'MIRROR'. A MOIRE fabric shimmers and changes like a distorted mirror reflection when you move.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVING WATER (the pattern is metaphorically 'watered' silk, with ripples and waves).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is the word 'moire' LEAST likely to be used?