Hem
noun
The edge of a piece of cloth or clothing that has been turned under and sewn.
She sewed a neat hem on the dress.
Often appears as...
- sew a hem
- hem a dress
verb
To fold back and sew down the edge of cloth or clothing.
She's hemming a skirt.
Often appears as...
- hem a skirt
- hem a dress
interjection
A brief, unusual sound made in the throat to get attention or express doubt or hesitation.
Hem, I'm not sure about that.
Often appears as...
- hem and haw
- hem in doubt
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To surround or restrict someone in a way that makes movement difficult.
The city is hemmed in by mountains.
Often appears as...
- hem in by
- hem in the city
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
The edge of a piece of cloth or clothing that has been turned under and sewn.
She sewed a neat hem on the dress.
Often appears as...
- sew a hem
- hem a dress
verb
To fold back and sew down the edge of cloth or clothing.
She's hemming a skirt.
Often appears as...
- hem a skirt
- hem a dress
interjection
A brief, unusual sound made in the throat to get attention or express doubt or hesitation.
Hem, I'm not sure about that.
Often appears as...
- hem and haw
- hem in doubt
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To surround or restrict someone in a way that makes movement difficult.
The city is hemmed in by mountains.
Often appears as...
- hem in by
- hem in the city
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Fashion Terminology
Understanding 'hem' is essential for discussing clothing alterations or fashion design.
The tailor discussed the hem's length during the fitting.
Pro Tip 2/2Detail Attention
A well-sewn hem is a sign of quality in garments and can be a detail to inspect when shopping.
Check the hem for even stitching.
Pro Tip 1/2Fashion Terminology
Understanding 'hem' is essential for discussing clothing alterations or fashion design.
The tailor discussed the hem's length during the fitting.
Pro Tip 2/2Detail Attention
A well-sewn hem is a sign of quality in garments and can be a detail to inspect when shopping.
Check the hem for even stitching.
Pro Tip 1/2Fashion Terminology
Understanding 'hem' is essential for discussing clothing alterations or fashion design.
The tailor discussed the hem's length during the fitting.
Pro Tip 2/2Detail Attention
A well-sewn hem is a sign of quality in garments and can be a detail to inspect when shopping.
Check the hem for even stitching.
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Video examples
The mathematician who...
So these different predictive schemes can be really quite wild and unexpected. I mean, you looked at everything, right? You looked at the weather, length of dresses, political opinion. Yes, length of dresses we didn't try. What sort of things? Well, everything. Everything is grist for the mill -- except hem lengths.
Video examples
The polyphonic me PIPE...
the very maximum that it could be. I was constantly experimenting with these noises. And I'm still on that mission. I'm still trying to find every noise that I can possibly make. And the thing is, I'm a bit older and wiser now, and I know that there's some noises I'll never be able to make because I'm hemmed in
Video examples
Where is home? - Pico...
skeptical when people say things like that no honestly he went on it's it's only three hours away by car and it's not very expensive and it's probably not like anywhere you stayed before hmm it's beginning to get slightly intrigued what is it well yeah my friend hemmed
Video examples
The Foul, Fascinating...
the countless generations who have labored before hemmed in this 600 year old tannery I knew about the smell because before dropping out of school I used to come help my father in the tannery my first time here the smell was terrible I felt like I was suffocating I
Video examples
Ben Dunlap: The...
mastering the new process. He gathered them together after an initial tour of that facility and he asked if there were any questions. There was hemming and hawing and shuffling of feet, and then one of the white workers stepped forward and said,
Video examples
What almost dying taught...
it is far more radical and dangerous to have hope than to live hemmed in by fear. But the most important thing I learned on that road trip is that the divide between the sick and the well -- it doesn't exist.
Video examples
The Life of a Photograph...
the hem of the curtain my father taught me to take this picture my mother taught me to put into it all of those elements the last chapter in the book retraces the title of the book the life of the
Video examples
A Submarine Assault PIPE...
now deep within the convoy an enemy transport lies straight ahead but hemmed in by other vessels ramage has only one option you must target the bow the narrowest part of the ship
Video examples
China: Consumerism and...
Yangtze a Buddhist temple stands proud among the skyscrapers and shopping malls hemmed in this temple is onna there's been a temple here for nearly a thousand years skyscrapers
Video examples
Where joy hides and how...
They hemmed and hawed and gestured a lot with their hands. "They just do," they said. I packed up my things for the summer, but I couldn't stop thinking about this question
Video examples
The mathematician who...
So these different predictive schemes can be really quite wild and unexpected. I mean, you looked at everything, right? You looked at the weather, length of dresses, political opinion. Yes, length of dresses we didn't try. What sort of things? Well, everything. Everything is grist for the mill -- except hem lengths.
Video examples
The polyphonic me PIPE...
the very maximum that it could be. I was constantly experimenting with these noises. And I'm still on that mission. I'm still trying to find every noise that I can possibly make. And the thing is, I'm a bit older and wiser now, and I know that there's some noises I'll never be able to make because I'm hemmed in
Video examples
Where is home? - Pico...
skeptical when people say things like that no honestly he went on it's it's only three hours away by car and it's not very expensive and it's probably not like anywhere you stayed before hmm it's beginning to get slightly intrigued what is it well yeah my friend hemmed
Video examples
The Foul, Fascinating...
the countless generations who have labored before hemmed in this 600 year old tannery I knew about the smell because before dropping out of school I used to come help my father in the tannery my first time here the smell was terrible I felt like I was suffocating I
Video examples
Ben Dunlap: The...
mastering the new process. He gathered them together after an initial tour of that facility and he asked if there were any questions. There was hemming and hawing and shuffling of feet, and then one of the white workers stepped forward and said,
Video examples
What almost dying taught...
it is far more radical and dangerous to have hope than to live hemmed in by fear. But the most important thing I learned on that road trip is that the divide between the sick and the well -- it doesn't exist.
Video examples
The Life of a Photograph...
the hem of the curtain my father taught me to take this picture my mother taught me to put into it all of those elements the last chapter in the book retraces the title of the book the life of the
Video examples
A Submarine Assault PIPE...
now deep within the convoy an enemy transport lies straight ahead but hemmed in by other vessels ramage has only one option you must target the bow the narrowest part of the ship
Video examples
China: Consumerism and...
Yangtze a Buddhist temple stands proud among the skyscrapers and shopping malls hemmed in this temple is onna there's been a temple here for nearly a thousand years skyscrapers
Video examples
Where joy hides and how...
They hemmed and hawed and gestured a lot with their hands. "They just do," they said. I packed up my things for the summer, but I couldn't stop thinking about this question
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Joanne Harris
British Author
I had a great grandmother who believed in so many strange superstitions. She used to tell the future from the things that catch on to the hem of your skirt when you've been sewing, and different colored threads would mean different things... Of course, all that influenced me quite a lot as a child.
Quote examples
Adlai Stevenson II
American Politician
Your days are short here; this is the last of your springs. And now in the serenity and quiet of this lovely place, touch the depths of truth, feel the hem of Heaven. You will go away with old, good friends. And don't forget when you leave why you came.
Quote examples
Eva Chen
Taiwanese Businesswoman
Think about what you like and then think about why - was it the shape? The hem length? And then repeat over and over until you find your signature style. And if you ever get sick of your signature style... change it! That's the beauty of fashion.
Quote examples
Helena Christensen
Danish Model
So many times I've wanted to crack up, standing there stiff while seven women are crawling round my toes fixing hems and the designer's having a freak-out because the denim cuffs are crooked. I'm on the verge of hysteria.
Quote examples
Benny Goodman
American Musician
As soon as it was understood that we could handle things in our own way, it was the thrill of my life to walk out on that stage with people just hemming the band in.
Quote examples
Jenna Ushkowitz
South Korean Actress
If I find a good pair of jeans, I'll buy two, and get them hemmed to my height, and then I'll end up wearing those two for everything.
Quote examples
Karen Katz
American Author
Chanel is a very important vendor for Neiman Marcus. My favorite thing is the way they finish off the hems on dresses and jackets.
Quote examples
Otto von Bismarck
German Leader
A statesman... must wait until he hears the steps of God sounding through events, then leap up and grasp the hem of His garment.
Quote examples
Anne Sullivan
American Educator
I'd rather break stones on the king's highway than hem a handkerchief.
Quote examples
Joey Kramer
American Musician
I'm not the kind of guy who hems and haws about how he feels.
Quote examples
Joanne Harris
British Author
I had a great grandmother who believed in so many strange superstitions. She used to tell the future from the things that catch on to the hem of your skirt when you've been sewing, and different colored threads would mean different things... Of course, all that influenced me quite a lot as a child.
Quote examples
Adlai Stevenson II
American Politician
Your days are short here; this is the last of your springs. And now in the serenity and quiet of this lovely place, touch the depths of truth, feel the hem of Heaven. You will go away with old, good friends. And don't forget when you leave why you came.
Quote examples
Eva Chen
Taiwanese Businesswoman
Think about what you like and then think about why - was it the shape? The hem length? And then repeat over and over until you find your signature style. And if you ever get sick of your signature style... change it! That's the beauty of fashion.
Quote examples
Helena Christensen
Danish Model
So many times I've wanted to crack up, standing there stiff while seven women are crawling round my toes fixing hems and the designer's having a freak-out because the denim cuffs are crooked. I'm on the verge of hysteria.
Quote examples
Benny Goodman
American Musician
As soon as it was understood that we could handle things in our own way, it was the thrill of my life to walk out on that stage with people just hemming the band in.
Quote examples
Jenna Ushkowitz
South Korean Actress
If I find a good pair of jeans, I'll buy two, and get them hemmed to my height, and then I'll end up wearing those two for everything.
Quote examples
Karen Katz
American Author
Chanel is a very important vendor for Neiman Marcus. My favorite thing is the way they finish off the hems on dresses and jackets.
Quote examples
Otto von Bismarck
German Leader
A statesman... must wait until he hears the steps of God sounding through events, then leap up and grasp the hem of His garment.
Quote examples
Anne Sullivan
American Educator
I'd rather break stones on the king's highway than hem a handkerchief.
Quote examples
Joey Kramer
American Musician
I'm not the kind of guy who hems and haws about how he feels.
Example 1 of 10
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