Illustration of filigree
- filigree 2a
fil·i·gree
ˈfi-lə-ˌgrē 
1
: ornamental work especially of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper applied chiefly to gold and silver surfaces
a headband decorated with silver filigree
2
a
: ornamental openwork of delicate or intricate design
b
: a pattern or design resembling such openwork
a filigree of frost
c
: ornamentation, embellishment
writings … heavy with late Victorian filigree—
Jack Beatty
Jack Beatty
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Ornamental work formerly made with grains or beads is called filigree. It comes from an Italian word made from the Latin words for thread and grain. Today filigree is usually of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper, and is used chiefly to decorate gold and silver surfaces. Filigree can also apply to any ornamental openwork of delicate or intricate design or to a pattern or design resembling such openwork.
Examples of filigree in a Sentence
Noun
a surface decorated with filigree and pearls
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
There are a few digital filigrees and subtones added by the experimental pop wizard A. G. Cook.
—Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025
Vivian Yee, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2020
Another helpful move was using what Bugatti calls filigree side view mirrors, which let air pass through them.
—Alex Davies, WIRED, 19 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for filigree
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Noun
Brooches These beautiful pins, frequently adorned with sparkling rhinestones, intricate enameling, or delicate filigree, were a staple in our grandmothers' jewelry boxes.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
There are a few digital filigrees and subtones added by the experimental pop wizard A. G. Cook.
—Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025
Verb
Two years and much ado later, Raghda serves lattes filigreed with milk art at a strip-mall coffee shop and Rafaa hosts community gatherings at an event space across the way.
—Vivian Yee, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2020
Another helpful move was using what Bugatti calls filigree side view mirrors, which let air pass through them.
—Alex Davies, WIRED, 19 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for filigree
Cite this Entry
“Filigree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filigree. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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