calico

noun

cal·​i·​co ˈka-li-ˌkō 

plural calicoes or calicos

1

a

: cotton cloth imported from India

b

British : a plain white cotton fabric that is heavier than muslin

c

: any of various cheap cotton fabrics with figured patterns

2

: a blotched or spotted animal

especially : one that is predominantly white with red and black patches

calico adjective

Examples of calico in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the tricolor blend of calico hair is reduced to two opposing shades, which are painted in horizontal bands across the head, in the halo aesthetic. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026

Deposits can be demanded but loans may not be due until a ship returns from its voyage, wheat is harvested or the mercantile sells its large stock of calicos, coffee pots and pickaxes. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026

Animal: Angel, a 1-year-old, 7-pound, female, domestic shorthair cat with a calico coat. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Dec. 2025

Munoz goes on to note that one in every 30 million lobsters caught is a calico. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Calicut, India

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing calico

• calico bass
• calico bush

Rhymes for calico

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calypso
• cameo
• ceo

Kids Definition

calico

noun

cal·​i·​co ˈkal-i-ˌkō 

plural calicoes or calicos

1

: cotton cloth especially with a colored pattern printed on one side

2

: a blotched or spotted animal

a calico cat

calico adjective

Etymology

named for Calicut, a city in India, which exported such cloth