Meaning & use
pique fabric
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountabletechnical
A woven cotton fabric with raised lengthwise ridges, often used for polo shirts and formal shirts.
Grammar: Uncountable; you say 'a piece of pique fabric', not 'a pique fabric'.
Patterns
- made of pique fabric
- pique fabric shirt
The tennis shirt is made of pique fabric, which gives it a slightly textured surface.
This pique fabric is heavier than plain cotton and holds its shape well.
She chose a white pique fabric for the collar and cuffs of the dress.
Common combinations
- cotton pique fabric
- The summer jacket is made from lightweight cotton pique fabric.
- pique polo shirt
- He wore a navy pique polo shirt to the golf club.
- woven pique fabric
- The mill specializes in woven pique fabric for sportswear.
- pique texture
- The pique texture of the fabric helps air circulate.
Synonyms and how they differ
- waffle fabric
- Waffle fabric has a honeycomb texture, while pique fabric has raised parallel ridges.
- poplin
- Poplin is a smooth, tightly woven cotton, whereas pique fabric has a distinct ribbed surface.
Commonly confused: pique fabric or piqué?
pique fabric vs piqué
In ballet, piqué is a step where the dancer steps onto a pointe or demi-pointe; it is a different word from pique fabric.
Practice
Which of these is a characteristic feature of pique fabric?
Choose one answer.
Pique fabric is defined by its raised lengthwise ridges, which give it a textured surface. The other options describe unrelated properties that are not part of the definition.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “pique fabric”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.