interweave
gb/ˌɪntɚwˈiv/ us/ˌɪntɚwˈiv/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
C1
process
1
blend elements into a whole
To mix things together so they fit closely.
Usage pattern:
interweave [something] (with [something])
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it where simpler verbs like “mix” or “combine” sound more natural in everyday speech.
Synonyms
integrate (More general and often more formal; less imagery of threads.)
|
blend (Suggests smooth mixing; less emphasis on structure.)
|
intertwine (Often implies closeness or complexity, frequently figurative.)
Antonyms
separate (Keep elements apart rather than connected.)
|
isolate (Emphasizes removing connection entirely.)
Collocations
interweave themes
|interweave ideas
|interweave stories
|interweave narratives
|interweave plotlines
|interweave personal and professional life
|interweave history and fiction
|interweave facts with opinion
|interweave tradition and innovation
|intricately interwoven
Themes
communication
|writing
|arts
|relationships
Examples
- The documentary interweaves interviews with archival footage.
- In her memoir, she interweaves humor with painful memories.
- The course interweaves theory and hands-on practice.
Learner examples
- The writer interweaves two stories.
- They interweave old and new ideas.
Verb
C1
action
2
weave materials together
To weave things together like threads.
Usage pattern:
interweave [material/strands] (with [material/strands])
Common mistake:
Often confused with “intertwine,” which can mean twist together without weaving.
Synonyms
interlace (Common in crafts and design; emphasizes crossing over/under.)
|
weave together (More basic and transparent; less formal.)
|
braid (A specific kind of weaving in plaits, often with hair or strips.)
Antonyms
unweave (Undo woven structure.)
|
untangle (Separate strands that are caught together.)
Collocations
interweave strands
|interweave threads
|interweave fibers
|interweave ribbons
|interweave branches
|interweave reeds
|interweave strips of leather
|interweave yarn
|interweave wires
|interweave patterns
Themes
crafts
|materials
|design
Examples
- She interwove blue and gold threads to make a pattern.
- The basket is made by interweaving thin strips of willow.
- They interwove fresh flowers with greenery to form a garland.
Learner examples
- She interwove red and white yarn.
- We interwove the strips to make a mat.
Verb
C1
state
3
become closely intertwined
To become mixed together and connected.
Usage pattern:
[things] interweave (with [things])
Common mistake:
Learners may choose the transitive form (“interweave something”) when the sentence needs an intransitive structure (“things interweave”).
Synonyms
intertwine (Very close in meaning; often sounds slightly more personal/poetic.)
|
merge (Stronger sense of becoming one, less of a patterned connection.)
Antonyms
diverge (Move apart rather than come together.)
|
separate (Stop being connected or mixed.)
Collocations
lives interweave
|cultures interweave
|histories interweave
|traditions interweave
|paths interweave
|their interests interweave
|the strands interweave
|become interwoven
Themes
relationships
|society
|business
Examples
- Over time, their families’ histories began to interweave.
- In this neighborhood, languages and traditions interweave naturally.
- As the project grew, the teams’ responsibilities started to interweave.
Learner examples
- Their lives interweave.
- The stories interweave at the end.
Grammar
Dictionary form
interweave
IPA
GB/ˌɪntɚwˈiv/
US/ˌɪntɚwˈiv/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - weave (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: interweave
- 3rd Person Singular: interweave, interweaves
- Present Participle: interweaving
- Past: interweaved, interwove
- Past Participle: interwoven
Word family
Expressions
interweave a and b
1/ˌɪntɚwˈiv ə ˈænd bˈi/
fixed phrase
combine two things closely
To mix two things together closely.
Examples
- The report interweaves data and personal stories to make the point clearer.
- She interwove comedy and tragedy in the same scene.
- The museum exhibit interweaves science and art.
interweave into
1/ˌɪntɚwˈiv ˈɪntu/
fixed phrase
work something into a whole
To put something in so it fits naturally.
Examples
- The director interwove small clues into the first episode.
- Try to interweave the key terms into your answers, not just list them.
- She interwove family photos into the presentation.
interweave with
1/ˌɪntɚwˈiv wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
be closely connected to
To connect closely with something.
Examples
- Her work life is tightly interwoven with her social life.
- Local history is interwoven with the river that runs through the town.
- These traditions are interwoven with everyday routines.