Textile Definition, Usage & Common Examples

Meaning 1：fabric or cloth (textile)

textile 🔊

/ˈtekstaɪl/

A general word for any type of cloth or fabric that can be woven or knitted.

Textile fabric rolls in a store, showcasing various colors, patterns, and materials like cotton and linen.

fabric or cloth 🔊

➕

/ˈfæbrɪk ɔːr klɒθ/

Any type of material produced by weaving, knitting, or felting fibers together.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'textilis' (woven), from 'texere' (to weave). The root 'text-' relates to weaving.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: TEXT a message about the TEXTILE (fabric) you're wearing. Both involve connected threads (text and weave).

📖 Example

The company is looking for textiles that are breathable and soft for their new line of casual wear. 🔊 The firm is searching for breathable, soft fabrics for its new casual clothing collection.

🔗 Collocations

textile industry – The sector involved in the design, production, and distribution of fabrics and cloth.

textile mill – A factory where raw fibers are processed into yarn or fabric.

synthetic textiles – Fabrics made from artificially produced fibers, like polyester or nylon.

🔄 Synonyms

fabric (n.) – A more general term for cloth, especially when it is used for making things like clothes or curtains.

cloth (n.) – Material made by weaving or knitting fibers, used for making garments or other items.

material (n.) – A substance from which something is made; in context, often refers to fabric.

🌱 Derivatives

textured (adj.) – Having a rough or uneven surface that can be felt.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'textilis', meaning 'woven'. The word highlights the fundamental human activity of weaving fibers, crucial from ancient cloth-making to the modern global industry shaped by the Industrial Revolution's mechanized looms.