What does pleated mean?
Pleated describes material or an object that has been made with deliberate folds, usually narrow, regular folds pressed in one direction. It is especially common in descriptions of clothing, such as a pleated skirt, pleated trousers, or a pleated blouse, and can also refer to decorative architectural or furnishing surfaces. As a verb, pleated means to form such folds in fabric or another flexible material. The word suggests structure, precision, and a deliberately arranged appearance rather than the looser, less regular wrinkles associated with crumpled or rumpled material. Pleated designs can be functional, helping a garment hang in a particular way, or ornamental, creating rhythm and visual movement. The term is used in both British and American English.
Having regular folds or pleats, especially in fabric or clothing.
"The dancer's pleated costume moved dramatically under the stage lights."
Common in fashion and textile descriptions; often implies folds that are deliberately arranged and relatively regular.
To make a series of folds or pleats in fabric or another flexible material.
"She pleated the ribbon into a narrow bow."
Used when the action of forming pleats is being described; the everyday alternative is often fold.
From a single fold to a precisely arranged row of them, pleated fabric turns flat material into a structured design.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pleated come from?
The word derives from the English noun pleat, which comes through Middle English from Old French plier, ultimately related to Latin plicare, meaning to fold. The adjective and verb forms developed from this same root. The Latin-derived adjective plicate and the noun plication also continue the ancient sense of folding or arranging in layers.
Related word forms
How pleated is actually used
Most often used of clothing, fabric, or decorative surfaces. In the verb form, it is somewhat more formal than the everyday verb fold.
Easily confused with pleated
A pleat is an individual fold or the result of folding fabric, whereas pleated describes fabric or an item that has such folds.
Pleated means made with folds or pleats, while plied can mean layered, twisted, or strongly bound together, depending on context.