moire

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈmȯi(-ə)r  ˈmȯr  ˈmwär 

archaic

: a watered mohair

moiré

2 of 2

noun (2)

moi·​ré mȯ-ˈrā 

mwä-

variants or moire

mȯ-ˈrā 

mwä-,

or

ˈmȯi(-ə)r  ˈmȯr  ˈmwär 

1

a

: an irregular wavy finish on a fabric

b

: a ripple pattern on a stamp

2

: a fabric having a wavy watered appearance

3

: an independent usually shimmering pattern seen when two geometrically regular patterns (such as two sets of parallel lines or two halftone screens) are superimposed especially at an acute angle

moiré adjective

or moire

Examples of moire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The oldest examples of moire at the Victoria and Albert Museum are scraps of dress fabrics from the early 1600s, featuring floral patterns on a silk moire background. —Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2023

Try coupling moire with a bold print fabric, like using one on upholstery and another on drapes. —Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2023

Look no further than the Les Forets wallcovering by Arte (shown here), while Nobilis introduced a new moire-like fabric in the motif in vibrant colorways. —Parker Bowie Larson, ELLE Decor, 27 Jan. 2023

While in the audience for Roger’s fall/winter 2020 collection, Roach saw the moire and silk dress and knew immediately that Zendaya was the right client for the piece. —Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French, from English mohair

Noun (2)

French moiré, from moiré like moire, from moire

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1660, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

moiré

noun

moi·​ré

mȯ-ˈrā,

mwä-

variants or moire

same, or

ˈmȯi(-ə)r 

ˈmȯ(ə)r,

ˈmwär

: a fabric (as silk) that has a shiny wavy-patterned surface

moiré adjective