: to apply (something, such as a decoration or ornament) to a larger surface : overlay
Examples of appliqué in a Sentence
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Noun
Demonstrations include 360 degree designs, wool applique and French braid quilting.—Bella Waters, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2025 For the wedding, Patricia wore a floor-length gown with long sleeves, a scoop neckline, floral appliques and silk buttons running down the back.—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025 Running a business My childhood is filled with memories of Mom working 10 to 12 hours a day, then coming home to the house that my father built, a wedding gown spread across her lap for hand-sewing appliques, beads and sequins.—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 11 May 2025 Thomas wore a Trucker jacket covered in New York Yankees appliques.—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 May 2025 The gothic gown was embellished with intricate sequin detailing, emphasizing the lace floral appliques.—Charna Flam, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Everything from lace appliques to beading falls into this category.—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025 From monogram pull tabs to a graphic LV applique on the shoe’s sides, in a rainbow of colors and patterns that range from metallic and velvet-effect leathers to sequin embroidery (for an edgy black-tie look) and technical satin.—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2025 Each Cybertruck has an applique known as a cant rail that’s attached to the outside of the vehicle, according to Tesla.—Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
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.
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