filigree

1 of 2

noun

fil·​i·​gree ˈfi-lə-ˌgrē 

1

: ornamental work especially of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper applied chiefly to gold and silver surfaces

a headband decorated with silver filigree

2

a

: ornamental openwork of delicate or intricate design

b

: a pattern or design resembling such openwork

a filigree of frost

c

: ornamentation, embellishment

… writings … heavy with late Victorian filigree.

—Jack Beatty

Illustration of filigree

• filigree 2a

filigree

2 of 2

verb

filigreed; filigreeing

transitive verb

: to adorn with or as if with filigree

Did you know?

Ornamental work formerly made with grains or beads is called filigree. It comes from an Italian word made from the Latin words for thread and grain. Today filigree is usually of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper, and is used chiefly to decorate gold and silver surfaces. Filigree can also apply to any ornamental openwork of delicate or intricate design or to a pattern or design resembling such openwork.

Examples of filigree in a Sentence

Noun

a surface decorated with filigree and pearls

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The gilded filigree that began spreading over the walls of the Oval Office made its way to the outside of the building; now there’s a cursive sign in gold on the outer door leading to the colonnade, like an obnoxious monogram. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 3 June 2026

Brooches These beautiful pins, frequently adorned with sparkling rhinestones, intricate enameling, or delicate filigree, were a staple in our grandmothers' jewelry boxes. —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026

Verb

Fisher says the same sentiment extends to filigree, which is experiencing a quiet renaissance — particularly in yellow gold. —Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 20 May 2026

Each story is filigreed with the meta-commentary flashing onscreen and a daredevil’s enjoyment of audience interaction. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

modification of French filigrane, from Italian filigrana, from Latin filum + granum grain — more at corn

First Known Use

Noun

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1831, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for filigree

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Kids Definition

filigree

noun

fil·​i·​gree

ˈfil-ə-ˌgrē

1

: ornamental work especially of fine wire applied chiefly to gold and silver surfaces

2

a

: ornamental work of delicate or complicated design done so as to show openings through the material

b

: a pattern or design resembling such work