pleat

Everyday

1. A fold made in cloth by doubling it over and pressing or sewing it in place. tree →
2. (verb) To make folds like this in cloth or paper. tree →

In the lessons

Used in clothes, school uniforms and art and DT: pleated skirts and kilts have many pleats; children fold paper into pleats to make fans and concertina books.

Examples

• My school skirt has pleats all round. tree →
• A kilt has neat pleats at the back. tree →
• We pleated paper to make a fan. tree →
• Iron the pleats so they stay sharp. tree →
• The curtains were pleated at the top. tree →
• Fold the paper into pleats like an accordion. tree →
• The hats of the men were blue; the little woman’s hat was white, and she wore a white gown that hung in pleats from her shoulders. tree →

Note

Countable noun and regular verb. Adjective: pleated. Do not confuse with «plead» (to beg) or «plait» (UK: to braid hair, pronounced «plat»).