Pronunciation: /hɛm/

Definitions of hem

noun a border of a cloth article doubled back and stitched down

Example Sentences

A1 She sewed a hem on the bottom of her dress.

A2 The tailor folded the hem of the pants before stitching it.

B1 I need to adjust the hem of this shirt, it's too long.

B2 The dressmaker carefully ironed the hem to create a crisp edge.

C1 The haute couture designer meticulously hand-stitched the hem of the gown.

C2 The skilled seamstress expertly finished the hem with an invisible stitch.

verb to fold and sew the edge of a piece of cloth

Example Sentences

A1 She hems her pants to make them shorter.

A2 I need to hem this dress before I can wear it.

B1 The tailor will hem the curtains to fit the window.

B2 I learned how to hem a skirt in my sewing class.

C1 The seamstress expertly hems the delicate fabric.

C2 He decided to hem his shirt sleeves for a more tailored look.

Examples of hem in a Sentence

formal The tailor carefully measured the hem of the dress before making any alterations.

informal I think the hem on these jeans needs to be shortened a bit.

slang I love the hem on this shirt, it gives off a cool vibe.

figurative She tried to hem and haw, but eventually had to give a straight answer.

Grammatical Forms of hem

past tense

hemmed

plural

hems

comparative

more hemmed

superlative

most hemmed

present tense

hem

future tense

will hem

perfect tense

have hemmed

continuous tense

is hemming

singular

hem

positive degree

hem

infinitive

to hem

gerund

hemming

participle

hemmed

Origin and Evolution of hem

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'hem' originated from Old English word 'hemm', which means a border or edge.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'hem' evolved to not only refer to a border or edge of a garment but also to signify a sound made to get someone's attention or to express hesitation or uncertainty.