What does grosgrain mean?
Grosgrain is a coarse, ribbed fabric traditionally woven from silk and now also made from materials such as rayon or polyester. Its distinctive crosswise ribs give it a firm texture and a clean, structured appearance. Although grosgrain can refer to the fabric itself, the term is especially familiar in connection with ribbons, bows, hatbands, and decorative trims. These uses are established in dressmaking, millinery, gift wrapping, and fashion. The word is pronounced with stress on the first syllable and is pronounced in both British and American English, with the first vowel varying by accent. Grosgrain is useful as an example of a highly recognizable textile term whose common modern use is closely associated with ribbon, even though its literal name refers to a coarse grain or texture.
nounA coarse, ribbed fabric traditionally made of silk and now also produced from other yarns, especially in the form of decorative ribbon. The term can also refer to a ribbon made from this fabric.
- A coarse, ribbed fabric traditionally woven from silk and now also made from other fibers.
- A ribbon or decorative trim made from grosgrain fabric.
"The finished hat was decorated with a wide grosgrain ribbon."
"She chose a black grosgrain ribbon to finish the gift."
"The coat has narrow grosgrain bands around its cuffs."
The plural is uncommon because grosgrain is usually treated as a material name or used attributively.
"The shop displays several grosgrains in neutral colors."
Grosgrain sounds like a type of grain, but it is a fabric distinguished by ribs running across its weave.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does grosgrain come from?
Grosgrain comes from French grosgrain, literally “coarse grain,” formed from gros, meaning coarse or thick, and grain, meaning grain. The French gros element ultimately comes from Latin grossus, while grain derives from Latin granum. The term entered English as the name of a coarse, ribbed silk fabric and was later applied more broadly to similar fabrics and to ribbons made from them.
How grosgrain is actually used
This is standard textile and dressmaking vocabulary. It is a specialized term rather than everyday language, and it is often used attributively in compound terms.