non-woven

IPA/nˈɒnwˈəʊvən/
KK[nˈɑnwˈovɪn]IPA/nˈɑːnwˈoʊvɪn/

non-woven — adjective

1. describing fabric-like material formed by joining loose fibres with heat, pressu

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

describing fabric-like material formed by joining loose fibres with heat, pressure, or chemicals instead of crossing threads together

Example

The hospital uses non-woven fabric for masks and disposable gowns.

pattern: non-woven + fabric

This non-woven material blocks dust but still feels light on the skin.

pattern: non-woven + material

Common collocations
  • non-woven fabric
  • non-woven material
  • non-woven layer
  • non-woven sheet
  • non-woven web
Antonyms
  • woven

    describes cloth whose threads are crossed over and under each other

  • knitted

    describes cloth made by looping yarn rather than bonding loose fibres

Grammar Patterns

non-woven fabric

non-woven material

non-woven layer

be non-woven

Usage Note

Usually modifies nouns like fabric, material, layer, or sheet, where the headword names the textile itself rather than a finished product.

Common Mistakes

The lining is woven, so the fibres are pressed together with heat.
The lining is non-woven, so the fibres are pressed together with heat.
'woven' means threads cross over each other; 'non-woven' means the fibres are joined without that pattern.

2. describing a finished item that is made from this bonded fabric rather than from

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

describing a finished item that is made from this bonded fabric rather than from ordinary woven cloth

Example

The shop sells non-woven bags near the front door.

pattern: non-woven + bag

Caleb wore a non-woven cap before entering the clean room.

pattern: non-woven + protective clothing

Common collocations
  • non-woven bag
  • non-woven cap
  • non-woven wipe
  • non-woven mask
  • non-woven shoe cover
Antonyms
  • woven

    describes products made from cloth whose threads are crossed together

Grammar Patterns

non-woven bag

non-woven mask

non-woven wipe

non-woven cap

Usage Note

Usually modifies nouns for finished things such as bags, caps, wipes, and covers. For the material itself, use sense 1.

Common Mistakes

Everyone wore woven shoe covers in the lab.
Everyone wore non-woven shoe covers in the lab.
protective disposable covers are usually made from bonded fibres, not from cloth with crossed threads.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Woven' describes cloth made by crossing threads over and under each other, so the thread pattern is part of the material's structure. 'Knitted' is different again: the material is made from loops of yarn, which usually gives it more stretch. 'Felted' also avoids weaving, but it is made by pressing and matting fibres together until they lock, often with moisture and rubbing. 'Non-woven' is the broad manufacturing word for sheet material made by bonding or interlocking fibres without weaving or knitting. A surgical mask is usually non-woven, a T-shirt is usually knitted, and a tablecloth is usually woven.

woven ↗knitted ↗felted ↗

Etymology

LatinOld EnglishEnglish

'Non-woven' is a modern English compound. The first part, 'non-', comes from Latin and means 'not'. The second part, 'woven', is the past-participle form of 'weave', from Old English 'wefan'. Together, the word literally means 'not woven'. It became common in manufacturing and textile use when sheet materials began to be made by bonding fibres with heat, pressure, or chemicals instead of crossing threads on a loom.