Definition

1. Verb:
   • To wash (especially denim garments) with stones or pumice to achieve a faded, worn, or distressed appearance: This is a specific laundry technique used to soften fabric and create a vintage look by abrasion.

Usage

• The verb "stone-wash" describes the industrial or manual process of treating fabric. It is typically used in the context of fashion and textile manufacturing.
• It is often used in the passive voice (e.g., "was stone-washed") to describe the finished state of a garment.
• Example:

Examples

• Verb:
  • These denim jackets are stone-washed for a softer, more comfortable fit.
  • The vintage look of the jeans was achieved by stone-washing them with pumice stones.
  • We prefer to stone-wash our heavy denim to reduce its stiffness.

Advanced Usage

• "Stone-washed" as an adjective: The past participle is commonly used adjectivally to describe the treated garment.
  • He bought a pair of stone-washed jeans.
• The process is sometimes specified further, e.g., or , to indicate the method or intensity of the treatment.

Variants and Related Words

• Stonewash (noun, often used attributively): The process itself or the resulting finish.
  • This denim has a medium stonewash.
• Stonewashing (noun): The act or process of stone-washing.
  • Stonewashing became popular in the 1980s.
• Acid-wash (verb): A related, more intense bleaching and abrasion technique for denim.
• Distress (verb): A broader term for artificially aging fabric or garments.

Synonyms

• Abrasive wash: A more technical term for a wash using abrasive materials.
• Tumble with pumice: A descriptive phrase for the process.

Related Phrases

• To achieve a stone-washed effect: To create the appearance of being stone-washed, sometimes through chemical means rather than physical abrasion.
  • The designer used a laser technique to achieve a stone-washed effect on the denim.

Verb

1. wash with stones to achieve a worn appearance
   • stonewash blue jeans