swatch

/swɒtʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [swˈɑtʃ] /swɑːtʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [swˈɑtʃ] /ˈswäch How to pronounce swatch (audio)/ (ame, mw)

swatch — noun

  • swatchsingular
  • swatchesplural

1. A swatch is a sample-sized piece of fabric or cloth that displays the colour, pa

1.名詞B1
釋義

A swatch is a sample-sized piece of fabric or cloth that displays the colour, pattern, and texture of the larger material it came from, so a buyer can judge its quality before purchasing.

例句

Before ordering the suiting fabric, Greta asked for a swatch to check the quality.

collocation: ask for a swatch

The interior designer handed Antonia a swatch of deep blue velvet to match the curtains.

collocation: a swatch of [fabric type]

同義詞
  • sample

    Much broader — can refer to any material (fabric, food, blood, data). 'Swatch' is only for fabric.

  • specimen

    More formal and scientific; used for medical tests or research, not everyday fabric shopping.

  • patch

    Focuses on the shape of a piece rather than its role as a sample. A patch can be a repair piece, not necessarily a swatch.

文法句型

a swatch of [fabric type]

用法筆記

A swatch is always a physical sample you can touch and feel — not a digital image or a photograph. The word appears most often in fashion, tailoring, and interior design contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I ordered a swatch of wall paint.
✅I ordered a paint sample card.
💡Although 'swatch' is occasionally used for paint colours, its core meaning is fabric; for paint the usual term is 'paint sample' or 'colour chip.'
❌The doctor took a swatch of skin for testing.
✅The doctor took a sample of skin for testing.
💡In medical contexts, 'sample' or 'specimen' is correct; 'swatch' is limited to textiles.