marquetry

noun

mar·​que·​try ˈmär-kə-trē How to pronounce marquetry (audio)
variants or less commonly marqueterie
: decorative work in which elaborate patterns are formed by the insertion of pieces of material (such as wood, shell, or ivory) into a wood veneer that is then applied to a surface (as of a piece of furniture)

Illustration of marquetry

Illustration of marquetry
  • M marquetry

Examples of marquetry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bailey’s marquetry portrait took more than 4 months to make, using 180 different pieces of veneer, according to Rolls-Royce. — Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026 Today, Kober enjoys volunteering at his local community center, as well as making marquetry bookmarks and Viking chess boards. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 One of six Grande Suites on the train (each inspired by and named after a European city), Prague is tricked out in garnet reds, maroons, and gold, the wood glossy and the marquetry intricate. — Rebekah Peppler, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 May 2026 His pieces include solid wood chairs with a deliberately rudimentary, almost minimal design, integrating ornamental elements such as marquetry panels or tin bas-reliefs into their backs, legs or seats. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for marquetry

Word History

Etymology

Middle French marqueterie, from marqueter to checker, inlay, from marque mark

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of marquetry was in 1563

Browse Nearby Words

marquessate
marquetry
Marquette
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Marquetry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marquetry. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on marquetry

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about marquetry

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