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interweave

/ˌɪn.təˈwiːv/
IELTSAcademic
verb

To twist or join two or more things together so they become mixed or connected. It can also mean to combine ideas, stories, or events closely.

  • She interwove blue and gold threads.
  • The film interweaves humor and sadness.
  • The novel interweaves three family stories.

Adinary Nuance

Interweave is more vivid than mix or combine. It suggests things are woven together so tightly that they affect each other. Writers often choose it for stories, themes, or ideas that run through each other. It sounds more literary than everyday verbs like join or mix.

In other languages

Vietnamese
đan xen
Spanish
entrelazar
Chinese
交织
Japanese
織り交ぜる
Korean
엮어 넣다

Etymology

Interweave comes from Middle English, from inter- plus weave. It was used for threads first, then for ideas, stories, and events.

Common phrases

interweave ideasinterweave themesinterweave storiesinterweave with

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is interweave formal or informal?
It is slightly formal and often appears in writing, especially academic or literary writing.
What is the difference between interweave and mix?
Mix is general. Interweave suggests close, patterned connection, like threads or linked ideas.
Can I use interweave for stories?
Yes. It is common for stories, plots, and themes that connect closely.
Is interweave a common spoken word?
It is understood, but people use weave, mix, or combine more often in speech.