Meaning & use
interweave
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To twist or weave two or more things together so that they become closely joined.
Grammar: Takes an object, often with with: interweave threads with gold.
Patterns
- interweave something with something
- interweave something into something
The basket maker interwove thin strips of cane with colored reeds.
She interweaves silver thread into the fabric to create a pattern.
The two rivers interweave through the valley before reaching the sea.
verbtransitivefigurative
To combine stories, ideas, or themes so that they are closely connected.
Grammar: Often used in the passive or with with: the plot is interwoven with flashbacks.
Patterns
- interweave something with something
- be interwoven with something
The author interweaves historical facts with fictional characters.
Her memories are interwoven with the sounds of the old neighborhood.
The film interweaves three separate stories into one emotional whole.
Word forms
| third person singular | interweaves |
|---|---|
| past tense | interwove |
| past participle | interwoven |
| -ing form | interweaving |
Common combinations
- interweave threads
- The artist interwove threads of different colors.
- interweave stories
- The novel interweaves stories from three generations.
- interweave with
- The melody is interwoven with soft percussion.
- closely interwoven
- Their lives became closely interwoven after years of working together.
- interweave into
- She interwove personal anecdotes into her lecture.
Synonyms and how they differ
- intertwine
- Very similar, but intertwine often suggests things twisting around each other like vines, while interweave emphasizes a woven pattern.
- interlace
- More technical and often used for crossing strips or fingers; interweave is broader and works for stories too.
- blend
- Blend means mixing smoothly so the parts are less distinct; interweave keeps the separate strands visible.
- combine
- Combine is general and does not suggest a twisting or weaving action.
Opposites
Word family
- interwoven adjective
- Closely connected or twisted together, often used figuratively.
- interweaving noun
- The act or result of weaving things together.
Commonly confused: interweave or intertwine?
interweave vs intertwine
Intertwine is more about two things winding around each other; interweave is about making a combined woven whole.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
Interweave takes with to show what is being woven together: interweave A with B. The other prepositions (by, of, on) do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “interweave”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.