crêpe

crêpe

A woman wears a dress made of crêpe to the garden party.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A thin pancake: "crêpe" refers to a very thin, light pancake, often served with a sweet or savoury filling. It is a French dish.
    • A type of fabric: "crêpe" also denotes a light, crinkled fabric made from silk, wool, or synthetic fibres, used for clothing.
    • A rubber-soled shoe: In informal use, "crêpe" can mean a shoe with a sole made of crêpe rubber, often called "crêpe-soled shoes".
Usage Examples

  • Noun (pancake):

    • She ordered a crêpe filled with strawberries and cream. (A thin pancake with a sweet filling.)
    • The chef prepared savoury crêpes with ham and cheese. (Thin pancakes with non-sweet fillings.)

  • Noun (fabric):

    • Her dress was made of black crêpe, which gave it a soft, flowing texture. (A crinkled fabric used for clothing.)
    • Crêpe is often used for mourning attire because of its dull finish. (The fabric is associated with formal or somber garments.)

  • Noun (shoe):

    • He wore crêpe-soled shoes for better grip on wet floors. (Shoes with soles made of crêpe rubber.)
Advanced Usage

  • "crêpe paper": a thin, crinkled paper used for decoration.

    • They decorated the room with colourful crêpe paper streamers. (Decorative paper with a crinkled texture.)

  • "crêpe de Chine": a type of crêpe fabric originally from China, known for its softness.

    • Her blouse was made of fine crêpe de Chine. (A specific, high-quality crêpe fabric.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Crêperie (n): a restaurant or stall that specializes in making and serving crêpes.

    • We had lunch at a crêperie near the market. (A place where crêpes are sold.)

  • Crêpey (adj): having a texture or appearance resembling crêpe fabric, often used to describe skin.

    • Her skin felt crêpey after years of sun exposure. (Skin that is thin and wrinkled like crêpe fabric.)
Synonyms
  • Pancake: a flat, round cake made from batter (general term, usually thicker than a crêpe).
  • Fabric: georgette, chiffon (similar lightweight, crinkled textiles).
Related Idioms
  • There are no common idioms directly using "crêpe" alone, but the phrase "crêpe paper" is used in idiomatic expressions for decoration.
    • The party decorations were all crêpe paper and balloons. (Simple, festive decorations.)