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 of fabric

• 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

Inside, plastic gives way to brushed aluminum and Alcantara upholstery – a synthetic suede-like fabric– and the classic circular dials are reborn as digital displays set into a horizontal aluminum strip. — New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026

Kemp’s interiors are much less formal, using moss greens, warm earth tones, soft stone, natural wood, and textured fabrics to give the grand rooms a more relaxed feel. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026

Wearing a design by Gucci, Johnson’s dress included a sheer fabric with ornate botanical embroidery throughout. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

The pink tour poster featured illustrations of doves carrying olive branches and symbols of the pro-Palestinian movement including a watermelon and the fishnet motif of keffiyeh fabric. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

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