intarsia

noun

in·​tar·​sia in-ˈtär-sē-ə 

1

: a mosaic usually of wood fitted into a support

also : the art or process of making such a mosaic

2

: a colored design knitted on both sides of a fabric

Examples of intarsia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Upstairs, the kitchen features a rainbow motif and original checkerboard floor; hallways bear a kaleidoscope of wallpaper prints; and Martin’s office (The Download Den) has a custom intarsia rug inspired by Italian churches. — Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026

The two teams exchanged ideas on how to create challenging wood inlays and wood intarsias. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 June 2025

Details include inside-out effect shoulder seams, and a silk intarsia inside-out effect label on the back. — Joseph Deacetis, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2021

Matte-finish tiles were printed with motifs referencing centuries-old intarsia and majolica patterns, and designers liked the idea of using them in contemporary spaces. — Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2019

Especially atmospheric is the Piazza delle Tre Chiese, three churches, one of which, San Francesco, has altars of polychrome intarsia. — Frances Mayes, National Geographic, 11 July 2019

The collection plays into Gomez’s own aesthetic and ranges from a delicate lace slip skirt to a lilac hoodie to a sky blue bunny-rabbit intarsia sweater. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2018

Word History

Etymology

German, modification of Italian intarsio

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1