fabric

noun

fab·​ric ˈfa-brik 

1

a

: structure, building

b

: underlying structure : framework

the fabric of society

2

: an act of constructing : erection

specifically : the construction and maintenance of a church building

3

a

: structural plan or style of construction

b

: texture, quality

—used chiefly of textiles

c

: the arrangement of physical components (as of soil) in relation to each other

4

a

: cloth sense 1a

b

: a material that resembles cloth

5

: the appearance or pattern produced by the shapes and arrangement of the crystal grains in a rock

Synonyms

• cloth
• textile

Examples of fabric in a Sentence

The curtains are made of expensive fabric.

scarves made of woven fabrics

the fabric of the community

Recent Examples on the Web

Throughout the film’s international premieres and the cast’s promotional appearances, Zendaya has served up looks with tennis whites, collars and pleats, sportswear fabrics like mesh and even actual tennis balls. —Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024

There is a large collage stretching four yards or more made from fabric swatches of all colors from past and current models. —Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2024

The top and pants are made from a stretchy fabric blend and have slightly oversized silhouettes. —Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024

Currently on sale at Amazon for an impressive 47 percent off, these slip-on shoes boast airy fabric exteriors as well as cushy footbeds that support your walking excursions with ease. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2024

Blue, beige, rose gold, and gold boucle fabric wraps around the interior. —Sean Evans, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024

The fabric of my being was too frayed, and holding anything more would force it apart. —Chloé Cooper Jones Emily Woo Zeller Krish Seenivasan Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

These PJs are made of breathable and moisture-wicking fabric that feels degrees cooler than cotton, keeping mom comfortable, especially in warmer weather. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 19 Apr. 2024

Rex is designed to be squished and loved thanks to his super soft polyester fabric. —Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French fabrique "act of construction, something created or constructed, the created world, structure, construction and maintenance of a church," borrowed from Medieval Latin fabrica, going back to Latin, "process of making something, craft, art, workshop," noun derivative from *fabricus "of a craftsman," from fabr-, faber "craftsman, smith" (perhaps going back to dialectal Indo-European *d^hab^h-r- —perhaps of non-Indo-European origin— whence also Armenian darbin "smith," from *d^hab^h-r-sneh₂) + -icus -ic entry 1

Note: The Latin derivative fabrica may have been shortened from fabrica ars, perhaps literally "smith's craft, smith's place of work." The base *d^hab^h-r- has been compared with Gothic gadaban "to happen, be suitable" and a host of related words (see daft), though the semantic link is tenuous.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing fabric

• fabric softener

Kids Definition

fabric

noun

fab·​ric ˈfab-rik 

1

: the basic structure

the fabric of society

2

: cloth sense 1