fabric

noun

fab·​ric ˈfa-brik 

1

a

: structure, building

b

: underlying structure : framework

the fabric of society

2

: an act of constructing : erection

specifically : the construction and maintenance of a church building

3

a

: structural plan or style of construction

b

: texture, quality

—used chiefly of textiles

c

: the arrangement of physical components (as of soil) in relation to each other

4

a

: cloth sense 1a

b

: a material that resembles cloth

5

: the appearance or pattern produced by the shapes and arrangement of the crystal grains in a rock

Synonyms

• cloth
• textile

Examples of fabric in a Sentence

The curtains are made of expensive fabric.

scarves made of woven fabrics

the fabric of the community

Recent Examples on the Web

Isabel Marant’s Irma blazer is finished in a double-breasted silhouette in the woolen fabric. —Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024

The lobby’s signature white furniture wasn’t replaced but re-covered in fresh yet traditional fabrics. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024

There’s something really rewarding about discovering women who throughout history have affected the fabric of life for the better. —Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 Dec. 2024

June Ambrose Ambrose wore a body-con catsuit made from silky sheer fabric covered with Dolce & Gabbana’s signature leopard print. —Renan Botelho, WWD, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French fabrique "act of construction, something created or constructed, the created world, structure, construction and maintenance of a church," borrowed from Medieval Latin fabrica, going back to Latin, "process of making something, craft, art, workshop," noun derivative from *fabricus "of a craftsman," from fabr-, faber "craftsman, smith" (perhaps going back to dialectal Indo-European *d^hab^h-r- —perhaps of non-Indo-European origin— whence also Armenian darbin "smith," from *d^hab^h-r-sneh₂) + -icus -ic entry 1

Note: The Latin derivative fabrica may have been shortened from fabrica ars, perhaps literally "smith's craft, smith's place of work." The base *d^hab^h-r- has been compared with Gothic gadaban "to happen, be suitable" and a host of related words (see daft), though the semantic link is tenuous.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing fabric

• fabric softener

Kids Definition

fabric

noun

fab·​ric ˈfab-rik 

1

: the basic structure

the fabric of society

2

: cloth sense 1