appliqué

1 of 2

noun

ap·​pli·​qué ˌa-plə-ˈkā How to pronounce appliqué (audio)
: a cutout decoration fastened to a larger piece of material

appliqué

2 of 2

verb

appliquéd; appliquéing

transitive verb

: to apply (something, such as a decoration or ornament) to a larger surface : overlay

Examples of appliqué in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Floral appliques accentuated the bust and the midriff portion of the piece styled by Thomas Christos her longtime stylist. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 30 Oct. 2023 These looks were intricately created with excessive amounts of tulle, and some of them featured bows, floral appliques, and even metallic pieces of tinsel. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 9 Sep. 2023 The family is dressed in matching neutrals, with Brittany wearing a sheer maxi dress with floral appliques in the photos. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2023 To start the festivities, the Only Murders in the Building star went full vamp in a sheer red tube dress with floral appliques, which perfectly matched a pair of strappy black heels with their own red flower embellishments. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 23 July 2023 The straw bag also has brown leather accents, a leather applique Loewe logo on the front, and adjustable leather handles with two shoulder-length options. Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2023 For Gold, the designer employed Schiaparelli signatures such as cartoonish appliques, outlandish accessories, vivid prints and even the iconic upside-down shoe hat, this time remade in papier-mâché by Marseille milliners. Valli Herman, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2023 Originally released in August 2020, the shoes feature denim appliques treated to look like elephant skin and a fire engine red tongue and collar. Justin Ray, Robb Report, 8 May 2023 The family dressed in matching neutrals, with Brittany wearing a sheer maxi dress with floral appliques in the photos. Georgia Slater, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2023
Verb
An eggplant placemat is appliqued with a border of coral and paired with Leotine's Chopstick monogram for an unforgettable table bathed in color. Sarah Bray, ELLE Decor, 21 Mar. 2014 Haehlen, who has Down syndrome, smiles wide and twirls her skirt, revealing how intricately it’s appliqued with sequined, floral explosions of color. Tony Bravo, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2018 The antithesis of timid, Alessandro Michele at Gucci appliques hats, tops and jeans with motifs like bats, cats, bugs and wolves that make Ralph Lauren’s polo pony seem like a meek flea. Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 27 Sep. 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'appliqué.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French, past participle of appliquer "to put on, apply," going back to Old French apliquier "to put to use, utilize in a certain way," borrowed from Latin applicāre "to bring into contact (with), situate near, bring to bear (on), make applicable or relevant (to)" — more at apply

Note: French appliqué is apparently not recorded with the specific sense of the English word in the eighteenth or nineteenth century; see discussion s.v. in the Oxford English Dictionary, third edition.

Verb

derivative of appliqué entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1763, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of appliqué was in 1763

Dictionary Entries Near appliqué

Cite this Entry

“Appliqué.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appliqu%C3%A9. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

appliqué

1 of 2 noun
ap·​pli·​qué ˌap-lə-ˈkā How to pronounce appliqué (audio)
: a cutout decoration fastened to a larger piece of material

appliqué

2 of 2 verb
appliquéd; appliquéing
: to apply an appliqué to a larger surface

More from Merriam-Webster on appliqué

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