English UsageComparison guide

Weaved vs. Wove

“Wove” and “weaved” are not always interchangeable in the same way. For weaving cloth, “wove” is the traditional past form and US English also documents “weaved”; for the movement sense, “weaved” is the normal past form.

Quick answer

Use “wove” for the traditional past of weaving cloth; “weaved” is also documented in US usage and is the normal past form for moving in and out through obstacles.

Key details

Confusion Familysense-sensitive verb forms
Rule Familyverb-forms
TermsWeaved, Wove
Verb FormsFor making cloth or interlacing, Cambridge gives wove (US also weaved) and woven (US also weaved); for moving in and out, the past form is weaved.

Further guidance

Core difference

For the cloth/interlacing sense, “wove” is the established irregular past form, with “weaved” also documented in US usage.

Sense Boundary

For the movement sense—moving repeatedly from side to side or around obstacles—Cambridge gives “weaved” as the past form. The intended meaning therefore matters.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. Weave — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Dictionary evidence distinguishing wove/woven from weaved, including the movement sense of “weave.”

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