: a decorative embroidery or shirring made by gathering cloth in regularly spaced round tucks
Examples of smocking in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The matching pink tea-length skirt featured Emily Adams Bode Aujla’s signature crafty details, with bands of smocking and cross-stitching at the waistband.
—
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
The smocking around the waistline creates a slimming effect and the ruffle sleeves lend to romantic detailing.
—Jean Chen Smith, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2024
The ties, puff-sleeves, and smocking are subtle enough to wear this on repeat for years to come.
—Neha Tandon, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2024
There’s elastic smocking in the back for comfort, and our favorite feature, pockets on the front seams.
—Shea Simmons, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2024
With all-over smocking that adds fun texture and a playful ruffle hem and neckline, this dress is ready to bring the party.
—Sarah Boyd, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The smocking and tie-front features ensure a great fit, while the rest of the dress capitalizes on comfort.
—Erin Johnson, Peoplemag, 31 July 2023
And then there are textural design features that disguise creases, like smocking, stretchy rib-knits, and crinkle-cuts.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2023
This year, Loeffler Randall has expanded its wedding suite with contemporary-yet-confectionary wedding dresses, resplendent with romantic smocking and poufy sleeves (left) or crafted in lace with a peek-a-boo sheer hem (below).
—Halie Lesavage, harpersbazaar.com, 22 Apr. 2023
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Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
The smocking around the waistline creates a slimming effect and the ruffle sleeves lend to romantic detailing.
—Jean Chen Smith, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2024
The ties, puff-sleeves, and smocking are subtle enough to wear this on repeat for years to come.
—Neha Tandon, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2024
There’s elastic smocking in the back for comfort, and our favorite feature, pockets on the front seams.
—Shea Simmons, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2024
With all-over smocking that adds fun texture and a playful ruffle hem and neckline, this dress is ready to bring the party.
—Sarah Boyd, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The smocking and tie-front features ensure a great fit, while the rest of the dress capitalizes on comfort.
—Erin Johnson, Peoplemag, 31 July 2023
And then there are textural design features that disguise creases, like smocking, stretchy rib-knits, and crinkle-cuts.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2023
This year, Loeffler Randall has expanded its wedding suite with contemporary-yet-confectionary wedding dresses, resplendent with romantic smocking and poufy sleeves (left) or crafted in lace with a peek-a-boo sheer hem (below).
—Halie Lesavage, harpersbazaar.com, 22 Apr. 2023
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Cite this Entry
“Smocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smocking. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
smocking
noun
smock·ing
ˈsmäk-iŋ 
: a decorative embroidery or shirring made by gathering cloth in regularly spaced round tucks
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