Meaning & use
hems
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“hems” is a form of “hem”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
The folded and stitched lower edges of clothes, curtains or cloth, made to stop the fabric from fraying.
Grammar: Plural of hem: the hems of the trousers.
Patterns
- the hems of something
- let down the hems
The hems of her trousers were wet from the rain.
She checked that the hems of the curtains were even.
Short hems are fashionable this year.
verbtransitive
Third person singular of hem: sews a folded edge on cloth, or surrounds something so it cannot move freely.
Grammar: Takes an object: she hems skirts; the wall hems in the garden.
Patterns
- hems something
- hems someone in
She hems all her skirts by hand.
The tailor hems each pair of trousers carefully.
A high wall hems in the small yard.
Common combinations
- take up the hems
- Please take up the hems of these trousers.
- let down the hems
- She let down the hems as the child grew.
- stitch the hems
- I stitch the hems on the machine.
- fraying hems
- The fraying hems showed it was an old dress.
- hems in
- A tall fence hems in the yard.
Synonyms and how they differ
- edges
- Edges are general borders, while hems are specifically folded and sewn.
- borders
- Borders may be decorative bands, not folded fabric.
- cuffs
- Cuffs are the finished ends of sleeves or trousers, often folded outward.
- seams
- Seams join two pieces of cloth, while hems finish a single edge.
Word family
Commonly confused: hems or hymns? hems or hems and haws?
hems vs hymns
Hymns are religious songs and are not related to sewing despite sounding the same.
hems vs hems and haws
Hem and haw means to hesitate and speak unclearly.
Practice
The tailor ____ each pair of trousers so they are the right length.
Choose one answer.
Hems means sews the folded edge. Hymns is a noun for songs.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hems”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.