weave
gb/wˈiv/ us/wˈiv/
B1
English
~ 5500
sző, fon, kerülgetve halad, cikázik, összesző, belesző, póthaj, szövés, szövésmód, póthajat felrak, póthajat bedolgoz, imbolygás, kacsázás
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to weave [material] (from [threads/fibers])
She weaves beautiful scarves on a small loom.
Gyönyörű sálakat sző egy kis szövőszéken.
The villagers still weave baskets by hand for the market.
A falubeliek még mindig kézzel fonnak kosarakat a piacra.
This fabric is woven from silk and cotton.
They weave the threads tightly to make the cloth stronger.
Learner examples
My grandmother weaves clothes at home.
A nagymamám otthon ruhának való anyagot sző.
He learns how to weave a small basket.
Azt tanulja, hogyan kell kis kosarat fonni.
The woman weaves a rug on the floor.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "weave" with "knit" or "sew". "Weave" means to cross threads or strips over and under each other to make a piece of material, while "knit" uses yarn with needles, and "sew" means to join pieces of fabric with a needle and thread. Another common mistake is verb forms: the past tense is "wove" and the past participle is "woven", not *weaved* in this sense.
Meaning
interlace threads to make material
Collocations
weave cloth
|weave a basket
|weave a rug
|weave fabric
|weave by hand
|weave on a loom
Synonyms
interlace (More general and technical; does not strongly suggest making cloth.)
|
plait (Often used for hair or straw; less common for making fabric.)
Antonyms
unravel (Describes taking apart woven or knitted threads, the opposite of creating woven material.)
Themes
crafts
|work
|objects
|clothing
|arts_entertainment
Definition
to make cloth or other things by crossing threads or strips over and under each other
To make cloth, baskets, or similar materials by interlacing threads, fibers, or strips over and under each other.
VERB
B1
2
cikázik
B2
Usage pattern:
to weave through [people/traffic/objects]
The cyclist wove through the heavy traffic.
A kerékpáros cikázva haladt a sűrű forgalomban.
She wove through the crowd to reach the stage.
Az embereket kerülgetve jutott el a színpadig a tömegen át.
The drunk driver was weaving all over the road.
We had to weave around parked cars to get through the street.
Learner examples
The boy weaves through the people in the market.
A fiú a piacon az embereket kerülgetve halad.
Cars weave through traffic in the city.
Az autók cikázva haladnak a városi forgalomban.
She weaves around the chairs to get to the door.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "weave" with "wave" because they sound similar. "Weave" is about movement through space, often in a zigzag line, while "wave" usually means moving your hand or something back and forth. Some learners also say *drive zigzag* instead of "weave through traffic".
Meaning
move in and out while going
Collocations
weave through traffic
|weave through the crowd
|weave in and out
|cars weaving
|weave around obstacles
Synonyms
zigzag (Focuses on the shape of the path; less on moving between other things.)
|
thread (As in "thread your way"; slightly more formal and careful in tone.)
Antonyms
go straight (Describes moving without changing direction or going around obstacles, the opposite of weaving through them.)
Themes
movement
|transport
|daily life
|transportation
|daily_life
Definition
to move forward by going in and out between people, cars, or things
To move forward by repeatedly changing direction in order to pass between people, vehicles, or other obstacles.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to weave [a story/plot/explanation] (into [something])
The author weaves several plot lines into one powerful novel.
Az író több cselekményszálat sző össze egyetlen nagy hatású regénnyé.
He skillfully weaves history and fiction in his book.
Ügyesen szövi össze a történelmet és a fikciót a könyvében.
The speaker wove personal stories into her presentation to keep the audience interested.
The film weaves together themes of family, loss, and hope.
Learner examples
The writer weaves many short stories into one book.
Az író sok rövid történetet sző össze egyetlen könyvvé.
The teacher weaves jokes into his lesson.
A tanár vicceket is belesző az órájába.
The movie weaves love and war into one story.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to say *build a story* or *mix a story* in contexts where native speakers prefer "weave a story" or "weave something into a story". Also, they sometimes forget the object and say *He weaves well* when they mean "He weaves stories well" or "He weaves ideas together well."
Meaning
combine elements into a rich story
Collocations
weave a story
|weave a tale
|weave a narrative
|weave a plot
|weave together ideas
|weave themes into
Synonyms
interweave (More formal and technical; strongly emphasizes the mixing of elements.)
|
blend (Suggests mixing things smoothly; less focus on complexity and structure.)
Antonyms
separate (Means to keep things apart or take them apart, the opposite of combining them into one story or explanation.)
Themes
communication
|art
|media
|arts_entertainment
Definition
to make a story or explanation by bringing many ideas or details together in a careful way
To create a story, explanation, or complex whole by carefully combining many details, ideas, or elements.
NOUN
B2
4
póthaj
B2
Usage pattern:
to get/wear [a weave]
She decided to get a weave for the wedding.
Úgy döntött, hogy póthajat rakat az esküvőre.
Her weave looks very natural and suits her face.
A póthaja nagyon természetesnek hat, és jól illik az arcához.
The salon specializes in sew-in weaves.
He spent hours maintaining his weave so it would last longer.
Learner examples
She has a long black weave.
Hosszú fekete póthaja van.
I will get a new weave next week.
Jövő héten új póthajat rakatok.
Her weave is soft and shiny.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "weave" with "wig". A wig is a full head of hair you can take off, while a weave is hair that is attached to your own hair, often by sewing or braiding. Some also incorrectly use a plural *hairs* and say *many weaves* when talking about individual strands, instead of using the uncountable noun "hair".
Meaning
hairstyle with hair extensions
Collocations
get a weave
|wear a weave
|sew-in weave
|full weave
|hair weave
Synonyms
hair extensions (More general; can refer to clip-in or other methods, not only styles called a "weave".)
Antonyms
natural hair (Refers to hair without added pieces, the opposite of using a weave.)
Themes
appearance
|fashion
|daily life
|body
|daily_life
Definition
a hairstyle where extra hair is put into your own hair to make it longer or thicker
A hairstyle in which extra hair, either artificial or natural, is attached to a person’s own hair to add length or volume.
NOUN
B2
5
Usage pattern:
the [tight/loose/plain] weave of [fabric]
This cloth has a very tight weave and feels heavy.
Ennek az anyagnak nagyon sűrű a szövése, és nehéznek érződik.
The loose weave makes the fabric breathable in hot weather.
A laza szövés miatt az anyag jól szellőzik meleg időben.
Twill weave is strong and durable, so it's used for jeans.
The fine weave of this shirt gives it a smooth texture.
Learner examples
This shirt has a fine weave.
Ez az ing finom szövésű.
A tight weave keeps you warm.
A sűrű szövés melegen tart.
The weave of this cloth is open.
Common mistake:
Learners may use "pattern" when they really mean the structure of the threads, for example saying *a strong pattern* instead of "a tight weave". "Pattern" usually refers to printed designs like stripes or flowers, not to how the threads cross.
Meaning
structure or pattern of fabric
Collocations
tight weave
|loose weave
|plain weave
|twill weave
|open weave
Synonyms
texture (Refers more generally to surface feel; only sometimes overlaps with the specific thread pattern.)
Antonyms
knit (Describes fabric made by looping yarn rather than weaving threads, a contrasting method of construction.)
Themes
crafts
|design
|objects
|clothing
|arts_entertainment
Definition
the way threads cross each other in cloth
The pattern or structure formed by the way threads or fibers are interlaced in a fabric.
VERB
B2
6
Usage pattern:
to weave [extensions/extra hair] into [someone]'s hair
The stylist wove blonde extensions into her hair.
A fodrász szőke póttincseket dolgozott a hajába.
They carefully weave the hair close to the scalp.
Óvatosan, a fejbőrhöz közel dolgozzák be a póthajat.
She had her hair woven for the photo shoot.
The salon can weave colored strands into your natural hair.
Learner examples
The hairdresser weaves long hair into her short hair.
A fodrász hosszú póthajat dolgoz a rövid hajába.
He weaves red strands into her black hair.
Piros tincseket dolgoz bele a fekete hajába.
She will weave extensions into my hair.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use the regular past tense *weaved* ("She *weaved* my hair") for this salon meaning because it feels separate from the cloth sense. Many speakers still use the irregular forms "wove" and "woven" here, although "weaved" is also heard informally.
Meaning
attach extra hair to hair
Collocations
weave hair
|weave in extensions
|weave extensions into
|have your hair woven
Synonyms
attach extensions (Directly names the action; more explanatory and less tied to salon jargon.)
Antonyms
remove extensions (Describes taking the added hair out, the opposite of weaving it in.)
Themes
appearance
|fashion
|daily life
|body
|daily_life
Definition
to put extra hair into someone’s own hair to make it longer or thicker
To attach artificial or extra natural hair to someone’s own hair, often by sewing or braiding, in order to create a weave hairstyle.
NOUN
C1
7
Usage pattern:
a [slight/drunken/gentle] weave
The car's slight weave worried the police officer.
Az autó enyhe kacsázása aggasztotta a rendőrt.
I could see a drunken weave in his walk.
Látszott a járásán a részeges imbolygás.
The boat moved with a gentle weave on the waves.
Learner examples
The car has a strange weave on the road.
Az autó furcsán kacsázik az úton.
His walk has a slow weave after drinking.
Ivás után lassan imbolyogva jár.
The boat makes a small weave in the water.
Meaning
side-to-side unsteady movement
Collocations
a slight weave
|a drunken weave
|the car's weave
Synonyms
zigzag (Describes a repeated left-right movement; more about the path than the quality of steadiness.)
Antonyms
straight line (Moving without side-to-side motion, the opposite of a weave.)
Themes
movement
|transport
|core_vocabulary
Definition
a side-to-side way of moving forward, often not straight or steady
A movement in which someone or something goes from side to side while moving forward, often in an unsteady way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
weave
IPA
GB/wˈiv/
US/wˈiv/
Syllables & stress
weave (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (weave)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: weave
Verb
- Base: weave, wove
- 3rd Person Singular: weaves
- Present Participle: weaving
- Past: weaved, wove
- Past Participle: woven
Word family
Forms
weaves
verb
weaving
verb
weaved
verb
wove
verb
woven
verb
Core family
weaver
noun B2
Advanced or less common
interweave
verb C1
Highlights
- Irregular past participle: woven Verb
Expressions
bob and weave
1/bˈɑb ˈænd wˈiv/
idiom
move to avoid being hit
to move your head and body up, down, and side to side to avoid a hit, especially in boxing; also, to avoid problems by quickly changing your actions
Examples
- The boxer bobbed and weaved to avoid the punches.
- In politics you often have to bob and weave to survive criticism.
get a weave
1/ɡˈɛt ə wˈiv/
fixed phrase
informal
have hair extensions put in
to go to a salon and have extra hair added to your own hair as a hairstyle
Examples
- She plans to get a weave before her birthday party.
- I’m thinking of getting a weave for the summer.
wear a weave
1/wˈɛɹ ə wˈiv/
fixed phrase
regularly have a weave hairstyle
to have a hairstyle with extra hair attached, usually for some time
Examples
- She usually wears a weave in the winter.
- Many celebrities wear weaves on the red carpet.
weave a story
1/wˈiv ə stˈɔɹi/
fixed phrase
create a rich, detailed story
to make an interesting story by putting many details and ideas together in a careful way
Examples
- The director weaves a powerful story about family and forgiveness.
- He loves to weave stories from his childhood into his speeches.
weave in and out
1/wˈiv ˈɪn ˈænd ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
repeatedly move in and out
to move forward while going in and out between people, cars, or things again and again
Examples
- Cars were weaving in and out of the lanes.
- The child weaved in and out between the tables.
weave into
1/wˈiv ˈɪntu/
phrasal verb
include something as part of another
to put an idea, story, or detail inside something else so it becomes a natural part of it
Examples
- The lecturer weaved humor into a serious talk.
- They weave local traditions into their modern music.
weave one's way
1/wˈiv wˈʌnz wˈeɪ/
idiom
move carefully through obstacles
to move slowly and carefully through a crowd or many objects, changing direction often
Examples
- She slowly wove her way through the busy market.
- We had to weave our way between parked cars to reach the house.
weave through
1/wˈiv θɹˈu/
phrasal verb
move in and out between obstacles
to move forward by going in and out between people, cars, or other things
Examples
- The motorbikes weave through the traffic during rush hour.
- She had to weave through the crowd to reach the exit.
weave together
1/wˈiv təɡˈɛðɚ/
phrasal verb
combine parts into a whole
to join many ideas, stories, or pieces so they form one connected thing
Examples
- The film weaves together three different timelines.
- She weaves together personal memories and research in her essay.