tricot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Specialized
Quick answer
What does “tricot” mean?
A fine, ribbed or plain knitted fabric, often made from synthetic fibers like nylon, known for its smooth texture and elasticity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fine, ribbed or plain knitted fabric, often made from synthetic fibers like nylon, known for its smooth texture and elasticity.
Garments or items made from such a fabric, particularly underwear, sportswear, or dancewear.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word 'tricot' is used in both varieties but is more common in British English, particularly in high-end fashion and sewing patterns. In American English, descriptive terms like 'jersey knit', 'warp knit', or simply 'knit fabric' are often used interchangeably in everyday contexts, while 'tricot' remains the precise technical term.
Connotations
In British English, it retains a slight connotation of French luxury (from its French origin) and fine quality. In American English, the connotation is more strictly technical or associated with specific items like lingerie linings.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse; high frequency in textile, fashion design, and sewing specialist domains.
Grammar
How to Use “tricot” in a Sentence
[garment] made of/from/in tricot[fabric] described as tricotto line [something] with tricotVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tricot” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The tricot lining felt luxurious against the skin.
- She prefers a tricot-based leotard for ballet.
American English
- The dress features a tricot lining for comfort.
- Look for the tricot fabric section in the store.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in garment manufacturing, fabric sourcing, and textile wholesale catalogues. (e.g., 'The new lingerie line uses a premium nylon tricot for the lining.')
Academic
Found in papers on textile engineering, material science, and fashion history. (e.g., 'The development of tricot machines revolutionized the production of fine elastic fabrics.')
Everyday
Rare. Might be used by sewing enthusiasts or when shopping for high-quality lingerie or dancewear. (e.g., 'I need a tricot lining for this skirt I'm making.')
Technical
The standard term in textile science for a warp-knitted fabric with a fine, vertical wale on the face and a crosswise rib on the back.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tricot”
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈtrɪkɒt/ (like 'trick' + 'ot').
- Using it as a generic term for any knitted clothing.
- Confusing it with 'jersey', which can be weft-knitted.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While all tricot is knitted, not all knitted fabric is tricot. Tricot is a specific type of warp-knitted fabric, known for its fine ribs and smooth texture, often used for linings and lingerie.
It is pronounced TREE-koh. The 'tri' sounds like the word 'tree', and the 'cot' sounds like the 'co' in 'cocoa'. Avoid pronouncing it like 'trick-ot'.
It would be unusual and potentially incorrect. Sweaters are typically weft-knitted (like jersey). 'Tricot' refers to a specific warp-knitted structure, so it's better used for fabrics like those in slips, lingerie, linings, and some sportswear.
The word comes from French, where 'tricot' means 'knitting' or 'knitted fabric'. It entered English in the 19th century to describe this specific fine, ribbed knit.
A fine, ribbed or plain knitted fabric, often made from synthetic fibers like nylon, known for its smooth texture and elasticity.
Tricot is usually formal/specialized in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of **TRI** (three) layers of comfort, **CO**vered with a **T**ouch of silkiness = TRICOT, a smooth, layered knit.
Conceptual Metaphor
FABRIC IS SKIN (smooth, elastic, a second skin)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'tricot' most precisely and correctly used?