greige

English

Etymology 1

From French grège (“raw (of silk)”), from Italian (seta) greggia, “raw (silk)”, from greggio (“grey”), ultimately from Germanic roots.

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: grā, IPA: /ɡɹeɪ/, X-SAMPA: /gr\eI/
• Rhymes: -eɪ
• Homophones: gray, grey

Adjective

greige (not comparable)

1. (of textiles) Unfinished; not fully processed; neither bleached nor dyed.

   The rolls of greige cloth sat on the factory floor waiting to be printed.

Synonyms

• ((of textiles) unfinished): gray goods, grey goods, griege

Etymology 2

Blend of grey and beige

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: grāzh, IPA: /ɡɹeɪʒ/, X-SAMPA: /gr\eIZ/

Noun

greige (plural greiges)

1. A colour between grey and beige, closely akin to taupe.
   • 1943, S.J. Perelman, The Dream Department [1], page 74:

     Brilliant, sparkling reds will complement the bright, new beauty of Fall fashions and accent the subtle reserve of pale Priority beiges and greiges.

   • 1959, Paint, Oil and Chemical Review vol. 122 [2], page 12:

     The August issue of Better Homes & Gardens, for example, features an article showing which accents look best with greiges and other popular colors.

   • 2006, Lauri Ward, Home Therapy [3], ISBN 039953279X, page 256:

     To accessorize the server, we arranged a grouping of mahogany candlesticks in a variety of interesting shapes, a small greige-colored vase, and a platter that incorporates the colors of the candlesticks as well as the greige of the vase.

   • 2009, Caitlin Moran, The Times, 29 Jun 2009:

     To those who still deludedly think they prefer Star Wars over Ghostbusters, all I need to ask you is this: you don't really want to be a Jedi, do you? In a greige cowl, getting off with your sister, without a single gag across three films?

Anagrams

• eggier
• Reggie