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
Woolen aprons, facing front or back, partially obscure slip skirts, closing with bows or floral appliques — the silken touches defy the male silhouette. Colleen Barry, Quartz, 22 Feb. 2024 Radcliffe wore what appeared to be a dark plum suit with a white undershirt and bow tie, matching Darke's light purple sheer gown with floral appliques. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024 Colorful swimwear, tops with floral appliques, comfortable pieces like summer shorts, and easy button-ups are what her wardrobe is comprised of in Jamaica. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 10 Jan. 2024 The dress featured 152 covered buttons along the back — a detail Bella mentions in the book's description of the gown — along with an illusion lace applique and train. Hannah Kerns, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023 Selena Gomez was a bombshell in Tiffany gems and an Oscar de la Renta sheer gown with a leafy cover of appliques. Maane Khatchatourian, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2024 For heat transfer and iron-on appliques, there might not be a better option than the Cricut Easy Press 3. Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2024 In the accompanying photo, Riley sported a black long-sleeve dress shirt, and Frances wore a white lace cap-sleeve dress with different intricate lace appliques on the bodice. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 7 Dec. 2023 Here glittering rose appliques sprouted from simple bodycon silhouettes, crawled up model’s torsos and down their necks like jewelry, were embroidered against sheer tulle in web-like patterns, and bloomed boldly against stark black in neon. Esther Newman, refinery29.com, 20 Sep. 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

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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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