Word
tapestry
Phoneticsta·pes·try, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtæpəstɹi/
UK/tˈæpəstɹˌi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a heavy cloth with colorful pictures or patterns woven into it, often hung on a wall. People also use this word to describe a complex mix of different things.
n. a heavy textile fabric with decorative designs formed by weaving colored weft threads. Frequently used metaphorically to describe a complex or multifaceted situation or history.
Examples
“A beautiful tapestry hangs on the castle wall.”
“The museum displays a medieval tapestry that depicts a famous battle in great detail.”
“The novel presents a rich tapestry of immigrant life, weaving together the disparate stories of three families across several generations to create a unified narrative of the city.”
Examples
simple
“A beautiful tapestry hangs on the castle wall.”
contextual
“The museum displays a medieval tapestry that depicts a famous battle in great detail.”
complex
“The novel presents a rich tapestry of immigrant life, weaving together the disparate stories of three families across several generations to create a unified narrative of the city.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'of' when used in a figurative sense ('a tapestry of').
Real-World Examples
“The nearly 230-foot long Bayeux Tapestry is back in England for the first time in 900 years.” “There is even an image of a bear-baiting scene in the lower margin of the Bayeux Tapestry.” Etymology
From Middle English tapestrie, from Old French tapisserie (“tapestry”), from Ancient Greek τάπης (tápēs), from an Iranian source.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/tapestry