taffeta

[taf-i-tuh]

noun

1. a medium-weight or light-weight fabric of acetate, nylon, rayon, or silk, usually smooth, crisp, and lustrous, plain-woven, and with a fine crosswise rib effect.

2. any of various other fabrics of silk, linen, wool, etc., in use at different periods.

adjective

1. of or resembling taffeta.

taffeta

/ ˈtæfɪtə /

noun

1. 1. a crisp lustrous plain-weave silk, rayon, etc, used esp for women's clothes

   2. ( as modifier )

      a taffeta petticoat

2. any of various similar fabrics

Word History and Origins

Origin of taffeta¹

1325–75; Middle English taffata < Medieval Latin ≪ Persian tāftah silken or linen cloth, noun use of past participle of tāftan to twist, spin

Word History and Origins

Origin of taffeta¹

C14: from Medieval Latin taffata, from Persian tāftah spun, from tāftan to spin

Example Sentences

There were fancy dresses made of silk and velvet and chiffon, men’s breeches and brocade vests, miles of taffeta and endless lengths of ribbon, and countless boxes of tiaras and leather slippers.

Read more on Literature

Often credited as sparking an ’80s revival in fashion, his voluminous, one-of-a-kind party dresses come to life through a combination of contrasting thrifted fabrics like denim, taffeta, chiffon, leather and lace.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Imagine the ghostly rustling of silk taffeta, the clinking of giant paillettes, brought back to life by scientists and engineers.

Read more on New York Times

Aunt Fannie waited for more, so I drew out the scrap of watered taffeta.

Read more on Literature

The same effect is achieved with a silk taffeta garment, featuring a sound called “scroop,” a combination of the words “scrape” and “whoop.“

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• fiber 
• thread 
• tulle