frilling

A seamstress adds frilling to the hem of a white dress.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • Decorative fabric trim: "frilling" refers to a gathered or pleated strip of fabric used as a decorative edging or trim on clothing, curtains, or other textiles.
   • The act of adding such trim: "frilling" can also mean the process of creating or attaching this decorative trim.

2. Verb (present participle of frill):

   • To add a decorative edge: "frilling" describes the action of attaching or forming a gathered or pleated strip of fabric as an ornament.
   • To embellish excessively: In a figurative sense, "frilling" can mean adding unnecessary or overly elaborate details to something.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The dress was adorned with delicate white frilling around the collar. (A gathered decorative trim on the garment.)
  • She spent the afternoon sewing the frilling onto the pillowcases. (The process of attaching the trim.)

• Verb:

  • The seamstress is frilling the edges of the tablecloth. (She is adding a gathered trim.)
  • The report was frilling with unnecessary jargon. (The report was overly embellished with details.)

Advanced Usage

• "frilling" as a gerund: Used as a noun to describe the activity or result.

  • Frilling requires careful stitching to create even gathers. (The technique of making decorative trim.)

• Figurative use: In literary or critical contexts, "frilling" can denote excessive ornamentation in writing or speech.

  • The author's frilling distracted from the main plot. (Unnecessary decorative language.)

Variants and Related Words

• Frill (n/v): the base word; a decorative trim or the act of adding it.

  • The blouse has a frill at the neckline. (A single decorative strip.)

• Frilly (adj): having many frills; overly decorative.

  • She wore a frilly pink dress to the party. (The dress is adorned with many frills.)

• Frilled (adj): decorated with a frill or frills.

  • The frilled lizard puffed out its neck. (Having a frill-like structure.)

Synonyms

• Ruffled: having a gathered, pleated, or fluted edge.

  • The ruffled curtains matched the decor. (Similar to frilling in texture.)

• Flounce: a wide, decorative strip of fabric, often gathered.

  • The skirt had a flounce at the hem. (A type of frill.)

• Trimming: decorative material added to edges.

  • The lace trimming was elegant. (General term for edging.)

Idioms (related to "frill" rather than "frilling" directly)

• "No frills": simple, basic, without unnecessary extras.

  • The budget hotel offered no frills. (Only essential services.)

• "Frills and furbelows": elaborate or showy decorations.

  • The costume was covered in frills and furbelows. (Excessive ornamentation.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Frill up: to add frills or decorative elements.
  • She frilled up the pillowcases with lace. (She added frills to them.)

Note: "Frilling" as a standalone word is most commonly used in sewing and textile contexts. In everyday language, the noun "frill" is more frequent, while "frilling" often appears as a gerund or participle.