hem

noun
UK: /hem/
US: /hɛm/

  1. The edge of a piece of cloth that has been folded over and sewn to prevent it from fraying.

    1. I need to sew a hem on this skirt, it's too long now.
    2. The dress has a delicate lace hem, adding a touch of elegance to it.

Synonyms

edge border fold
hem verb

  1. To fold and sew the edge of a piece of cloth.

    1. Can you hem these pants for me? They're too long.
    2. She had to hem the curtains because they were dragging on the floor.
hem transitive-verb

  1. To surround or enclose (someone or something) closely.

    1. The mountains hem in the valley, creating a natural barrier.
    2. Reporters hemmed the celebrity in as they left the building, hoping for a comment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The phonetic transcription of "hem" is /hem/ in British English and /hɛm/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "hem": edge, border, fold.

Example usage of "hem": "I need to sew a hem on this skirt, it's too long now.". More examples on the page.