wool

noun

ˈwu̇l 

often attributive

1

: the soft wavy or curly usually thick undercoat of various hairy mammals and especially the sheep made up of a matrix of keratin fibers and covered with minute scales

2

: a product of wool

especially : a woven fabric or garment of such fabric

3

a

: a dense felted pubescence especially on a plant : tomentum

b

: a filamentous mass

—usually used in combination compare mineral wool, steel wool

Synonyms

• coat
• fleece
• fur
• hair
• jacket
• pelage
• pile

Examples of wool in a Sentence

She doesn't like wool because it can be itchy.

the wool from cashmere goats is considered by many to be the finest available

Recent Examples on the Web

These subtly slim joggers are the perfect swap for my chamois on the drive back home—soft, stretchy, and stink-resistant, thanks to their 85 percent merino wool construction. —Lily Ritter, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024

There are wool shackets ideal for layering atop turtlenecks, bodysuits to place beneath fall dresses, oversized sweaters to wear over, well, everything, and buttery-soft tank tops to add a buffer between mohair and skin. —Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024

The walls and floor have flecked Venetian terrazzo tiles made with marble pebbles, while at the heart of the room there is a wooden counter inspired by the crates once used to transport premium wools hailing from various continents. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024

For example, wool carpeting offers some health and safety benefits to users. —Jamie Gold, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wolle, from Old English wull; akin to Old High German wolla wool, Latin vellus fleece, lana wool

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wool

• combing wool
• cotton wool
• cotton wool ball
• dyed-in-the-wool
• glass wool
• lamb's wool
• mineral wool
• pull the wool over one's eyes
• pull the wool over someone's eyes
• Shetland wool
• steel wool
• virgin wool
• wire wool
• wool fat
• wool grease

Kids Definition

wool

noun

ˈwu̇l 

1

: the soft wavy or curly usually thick undercoat of various mammals and especially the sheep

2

: a fabric or garment made of wool

3

: material that resembles a mass of wool

wooled

ˈwu̇ld

adjective