intrecciare

Intrecciare is an Italian verb meaning to interweave, braid, or weave together. It can refer to the physical act of weaving or braiding materials such as fabrics or hair, as well as to the figurative act of combining or threading together ideas, plots, or elements in a texture or narrative.

Etymology: The verb comes from the root intrecc- and the -are verb ending, related to the noun intreccio (a braid, entanglement, or plot). It shares semantic territory with intricare, reinforcing the sense of entwining or complexing different parts.

Usage: In textile contexts, intrecciare describes braiding or interlacing threads, fibers, or strands. In hairstyling, it is used for braiding hair. In writing or speech, it denotes weaving together multiple strands—for example, intertwining different storylines, themes, or arguments. The term can also be used more broadly to indicate the combination or fusion of elements in art, music, or design.

Conjugation: Intrecciare is a regular -are verb. Present indicative forms are io intreccio, tu intrecci, lui/lei intreccia, noi intrecciamo, voi intrecciate, loro intrecciano. Other forms include the imperfect intrecciavo, perfect passato prossimo with avere (ho intrecciato), and the present participle intrecciando, with the past participle intrecciato.

Examples: La sarta intreccia fili di seta per creare un tessuto riccamente decorato. Lo scrittore intreccia tre storie diverse per costruire la trama. I capelli sono intrecciati in treccine elaborate.

See also: intreccio, intrecciare (infinitive variant), intrecciato, tessitura.