taffeta

IPA/ˈtæfɪtə/
KK[tˈæfətə]IPA/ˈtæfɪtə/

taffeta — noun

1. a crisp woven fabric with a slight shine, commonly used in formal clothes becaus

1.nounC1
Definition

a crisp woven fabric with a slight shine, commonly used in formal clothes because it holds its shape well and may be produced from silk or man-made fibres.

Example

Ayana chose a silver taffeta gown for her cousin's evening wedding.

taffeta gown: formal clothing collocation

Bao touched the blue taffeta and smiled at its cool, smooth surface.

touch and texture cues for the fabric

Common collocations
  • taffeta gown
  • taffeta dress
  • taffeta skirt
  • taffeta ribbon
  • silk taffeta
  • crisp taffeta
  • made of taffeta
Synonyms
  • satin

    satin is usually softer and more fluid, while taffeta feels crisper and holds its shape better

  • organza

    organza is lighter and more transparent than taffeta

  • silk

    silk names the fibre itself, while taffeta names a specific kind of fabric that may be made from silk

Antonyms
  • jersey

    a soft, stretchy fabric that does not keep a crisp shape

  • fleece

    a thick, soft fabric with no sheen and no rustling stiffness

Grammar Patterns

taffeta + noun

made of taffeta

Usage Note

Usually uncountable when you mean the cloth itself. It is often used before another noun for something made from the fabric, such as a taffeta skirt or taffeta ribbon.

Common Mistakes

She bought a beautiful taffeta.
She bought some beautiful taffeta.' or 'She bought a beautiful taffeta dress.
the fabric name is usually uncountable.
The bow was made by taffeta.
The bow was made of taffeta.
use 'made of' to name the material.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Taffeta, satin, organza, and velvet can all appear in formal clothing, but they give very different effects. Taffeta is crisp and slightly shiny, and it keeps a strong shape, so it is common in evening skirts, bows, and ball gowns. Satin is smoother, softer, and more fluid, with a shinier surface that drapes close to the body. Organza is much lighter and more transparent, so it is often used in layers rather than as the main structure. Velvet is thicker and soft to the touch, with a rich pile instead of a flat woven surface. If a dress needs volume and a dry rustling sound, taffeta is the natural choice; if it needs softness and shine, satin is usually better.

taffeta ↗satin ↗organzavelvet ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • silk taffeta
  • crisp taffeta

Prepositions

  • made of taffeta

Etymology

PersianFrenchEnglish

English borrowed taffeta from French taffetas, which came from Persian taftah, a word meaning something woven or twisted. The history fits the fabric itself: taffeta is tightly woven, giving it the crisp body and light shine that make it useful for formal clothing.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined above