the edge of a piece of cloth, especially along the bottom, to fold and sew the edge of a piece of cloth

hem and haw, hem someone in, hem and stitch

Formal and Informal Expressions of hem

In different contexts, you can replace 'hem' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'border, edge' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'sew, fix' is a commonplace synonym.

hem: Explore its Definition & Usage

hem Definition

1the edge of a piece of cloth, especially along the bottom
2to fold and sew the edge of a piece of cloth

Using hem: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hem" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The hem of her dress was torn.
Example
She hemmed the curtains to make them shorter.
Example
I need to hem this skirt before I can wear it.

hem Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for hem

Phrases with hem

hem and haw
to speak in an evasive or indecisive way
Example
He hemmed and hawed when asked about his plans for the future.
hem someone in
to restrict someone's freedom of movement or action
Example
The police hemmed in the suspect until backup arrived.
hem and stitch
to repair or mend something, especially clothing
Example
She hemmed and stitched the tear in her jeans.

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Summary: hem in Brief

The term 'hem' [hem] refers to the edge of a piece of cloth, often sewn to prevent fraying or to shorten the length. It is also used as a verb to describe the act of folding and sewing the edge of a piece of cloth. Common phrases include 'hem and haw,' meaning to speak evasively, and 'hem someone in,' meaning to restrict their movement.