stitch
/stɪtʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /stɪtʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstich/ (ame, mw)
stitch — noun
- stitchsingular
- stitchesplural
1. A visible line left on fabric when a threaded needle passes through it, or the a
A visible line left on fabric when a threaded needle passes through it, or the action of pushing that threaded needle through and back out again.
Noa noticed a loose stitch on the sleeve of her new shirt.
stitch + on [location (sleeve, hem)]
The tailor used tiny stitches to attach the button firmly.
Meera counted thirty stitches along the seam she had just finished.
A single stitch came loose when Emma tugged at the hem.
Each stitch must be even, or the fabric will pucker unevenly.
- seam
a seam is the whole line where two pieces of fabric are joined by stitches — larger than a single stitch
2. One of the loops of wool or yarn that sit on a knitting needle; the basic buildi
One of the loops of wool or yarn that sit on a knitting needle; the basic building block of knitted fabric, where a row of loops together forms the material.
Yuna dropped a stitch and had to ask her grandmother for help fixing it.
drop a stitch
Each row of knitting added about forty stitches to the scarf.
Obi counted the stitches on his needle to make sure they were correct.
When Putri missed a stitch, a small hole appeared in her sweater.
- loop
general term for any circular shape in yarn; stitch is more specific to knitting and crochet
3. A named technique used to create a specific look in fabric by hand, for example
A named technique used to create a specific look in fabric by hand, for example cross-stitch, chain stitch, or cable stitch.
The embroidery book showed beginners how to make a chain stitch step by step.
chain stitch / cross-stitch / satin stitch [named types]
Beatrix chose a satin stitch for the flower petals on her cushion design.
João learned a new stitch pattern called the star stitch from an online video.
The baby blanket was decorated with rows of cross-stitch in bright colours.
- pattern
a pattern is the overall design; a stitch is one specific technique within it
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (SEWING STITCH): sense 3 refers to a style or category of stitching (e.g. cross-stitch, running stitch), whereas sense 1 refers to one individual mark made by a needle.
4. A length of medical thread that a doctor puts through the skin on each side of a
A length of medical thread that a doctor puts through the skin on each side of a cut to bring the flesh together and let it heal.
The doctor removed the stitches from Obi's arm ten days after the accident.
remove stitches
Élise needed five stitches to close the cut on her chin after the fall.
need + [number] + stitches
Emre watched the nurse clean the area around his stitches carefully.
The surgeon placed the final stitch and tied it off with a small knot.
- suture
formal medical term for a surgical stitch; less common in everyday conversation
常見錯誤
5. A state of having no clothes on the body, expressed only in the phrase 'in stitc
A state of having no clothes on the body, expressed only in the phrase 'in stitches' (or 'in one's stitches').
After the swim, the children ran across the grass in stitches, eager to get dressed.
phrase: in stitches
Yuna found herself in stitches after the shower with no towel nearby.
The baby sat in stitches on the changing mat, kicking her legs happily.
An old photo showed Grandpa standing in stitches by the lake, holding a fish.
- dressed
wearing clothes
文法句型
in stitches
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in the fixed phrase 'in stitches' or 'in one's stitches'. Describes total nakedness, not partial undress. Do not confuse with the idiom 'in stitches' meaning laughing hard (see Idioms section).
常見錯誤
6. A brief, stabbing sensation on one side of the torso, typically caused by runnin
A brief, stabbing sensation on one side of the torso, typically caused by running too hard without steady breathing or by laughing intensely.
Emma got a stitch in her side halfway through the five-kilometre run.
get a stitch in [one's] side
Noa doubled over with a stitch from laughing at the comedy show.
The coach told Christopher to slow down until the stitch went away.
Sofia felt a sharp stitch under her ribs after eating too quickly.
- cramp
cramp is a broader term for muscle pain; a stitch is specifically in the side and linked to breathing during exercise
文法句型
get/have + a stitch
用法筆記
Common in both British and American English. The pain is temporary and usually stops within a few minutes of resting or slowing down. Not a medical emergency.
常見錯誤
stitch — verb
- stitchpresent simple I / you / we / they
- stitches3rd person singular
- stitching-ing form
- stitchedpast simple
1. To push a needle and thread through fabric or skin repeatedly in order to join p
To push a needle and thread through fabric or skin repeatedly in order to join pieces, repair a tear, or close a wound.
Meera carefully stitched the torn pocket back onto her school bag before class.
stitch [object] + back onto [object]
The nurse stitched the wound with steady, practised movements.
Obi stitched a patch over the hole in his jeans to make them wearable again.
Élise stitched the loose hem of her skirt before the party that evening.
Beatrix stitched the two pieces of leather together to form a small wallet.
- unpick
to remove stitches or undo sewing
文法句型
stitch + object (fabric, tear, wound)
stitch + object + together
stitch + object + onto + object
2. To create a garment such as a dress, shirt, or coat by sewing pieces of fabric t
To create a garment such as a dress, shirt, or coat by sewing pieces of fabric together, often using a sewing machine or by hand.
Putri stitched a beautiful dress for her sister's wedding ceremony.
stitch + garment for [person/occasion]
Emre's grandmother stitched all his shirts by hand when he was young.
João stitched a warm winter coat using thick woollen fabric from the market.
Sofia learned to stitch her own clothes in a sewing class last year.
文法句型
stitch + garment (dress, shirt, coat)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (SEW TOGETHER): sense 2 focuses on making a whole garment from fabric pieces, whereas sense 1 is about repairing or joining two things. Sense 2 is less common in everyday speech than sense 1.