tapestry
/ˈtæp.ə.stri/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
A tapestry is a thick cloth picture made by weaving coloured threads together. It is often hung on a wall for decoration.
- The castle wall had a beautiful tapestry.
- She bought a tapestry for the living room.
- 2.
A tapestry can also mean a complex mix of different things. Writers use it for people, ideas, or events joined together.
- The city is a tapestry of cultures.
- His life was a tapestry of success and loss.
Adinary Nuance
Use tapestry when you want to show many parts joined into one rich whole. It is more visual and literary than mixture or blend. Writers choose it when the different parts feel detailed, layered, and beautiful.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thảm trang trí
- Spanish
- tapiz
- Chinese
- 挂毯
- Japanese
- タペストリー
- Korean
- 태피스트리
Etymology
Tapestry came into English from Old French in the Middle Ages. The word is linked to woven cloth used for decoration on walls.
Common phrases
a tapestry of culturesa rich tapestrywoven tapestry
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is tapestry a common everyday word?
- It is common in writing, but less common in daily speech.
- What is the difference between tapestry and fabric?
- Fabric is a general word for cloth. Tapestry is a decorated woven cloth, or a rich mix of things.
- Can I say 'a tapestry of cultures'?
- Yes. It is a natural phrase for a diverse group or society.
- Is tapestry formal or informal?
- It is neutral, but it often sounds literary or descriptive.