Meaning & use

hem

noun·Everyday

The finished edge of a piece of cloth, folded and sewn to prevent it from fraying.

See it in a sentence

The tailor shortened the dress by adjusting its hem two inches.

Mud splattered along the hem of her coat after the rainy walk.

A note on using this word

As a phrasal verb, 'hem in' means to surround and restrict someone's freedom of movement or action.

Words with a similar meaning

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