appliqué

1 of 2

noun

ap·​pli·​qué ˌa-plə-ˈkā 

: a cutout decoration fastened to a larger piece of material

appliqué

2 of 2

verb

appliquéd; appliquéing

transitive verb

: to apply (something, such as a decoration or ornament) to a larger surface : overlay

Examples of appliqué in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The choreographer accessorized with layered necklaces, gold bangles and pumps featuring bow appliques. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024

The actress selected a black velvet Rodarte gown featuring a plunging neckline and floral appliques. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 15 Sep. 2024

There were gowns that slithered along the body — in a sheer, gauzy black chiffon with gold appliques, in shiny leather, and sequined silver with slits and straps. —Blue Carreon, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024

Sydney Sweeney Coordinated with her co-star Ana de Armas once again, Sweeney wore a black velvet Alexander McQueen gown consisting of a plunging, cutout filled in with mesh and floral applique. —Marissa Muller, WWD, 8 Sep. 2024

Fur, appliques and layered patchwork decorated other jean styles. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 July 2024

As expected, flowers figured prominently in the collection: cascading like vines on a white tulle dresses; as appliques fashioned from feathers on a dress with glittering trellis details; and as a whiff of a print on a couple of strapless numbers. —Blue Carreon, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

Both pieces were embroidered with pastel floral appliques. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 8 Sep. 2024

Ankle-skimming hems and trendy jean shorts (decorated with mouth and cigarettes appliques) were part of Caro Editions’ handcrafted collection. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Aug. 2024

Verb

An eggplant placemat is appliqued with a border of coral and paired with Leotine's Chopstick monogram for an unforgettable table bathed in color. —Sarah Bray, ELLE Decor, 21 Mar. 2014

Haehlen, who has Down syndrome, smiles wide and twirls her skirt, revealing how intricately it’s appliqued with sequined, floral explosions of color. —Tony Bravo, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2018

The antithesis of timid, Alessandro Michele at Gucci appliques hats, tops and jeans with motifs like bats, cats, bugs and wolves that make Ralph Lauren’s polo pony seem like a meek flea. —Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 27 Sep. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French, past participle of appliquer "to put on, apply," going back to Old French apliquier "to put to use, utilize in a certain way," borrowed from Latin applicāre "to bring into contact (with), situate near, bring to bear (on), make applicable or relevant (to)" — more at apply

Note: French appliqué is apparently not recorded with the specific sense of the English word in the eighteenth or nineteenth century; see discussion s.v. in the Oxford English Dictionary, third edition.

Verb

derivative of appliqué entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1763, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1864, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

appliqué

1 of 2 noun

ap·​pli·​qué ˌap-lə-ˈkā 

: a cutout decoration fastened to a larger piece of material

appliqué

2 of 2 verb

appliquéd; appliquéing

: to apply an appliqué to a larger surface