fleece

\ ˈflēs

How to pronounce fleece (audio)

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Definition of fleece

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the coat of wool covering a wool-bearing animal (such as a sheep)

b : the wool obtained from a sheep at one shearing

2a : any of various soft or woolly coverings

b : a soft bulky deep-piled knitted or woven fabric used chiefly for clothing

fleece

fleeced; fleecing

Definition of fleece (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to strip of money or property by fraud or extortion

b : to charge excessively for goods or services

2 : to remove the fleece from : shear

3 : to dot or cover with fleecy masses

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about fleece

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Examples of fleece in a Sentence

Noun learning how to shear the fleece off a sheep Verb Don't let that salesman fleece you. an unsuspecting tourist fleeced by a scam artist

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The date branded merchandise includes T-shirts, polos, fleece, vests, caps, bags, socks, charms, glassware, home décor, posters, banners, party supplies, lapel pins, official Derby glasses, logo pins, magnets and key rings. — Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, "You can buy Kentucky Derby merch dated for May 2, 2020, to help fund COVID-19 relief," 10 Apr. 2020 Every summer, the glacier is covered with huge sheets of white fleece blankets to slow down its melting, according to photographer Orjan F. Ellingvag. — Helen Regan, CNN, "Why China and India shouldn't let coronavirus justify walking back climate action," 20 May 2020 Gardeners and flower lovers who haven’t already dressed their petunias, crocuses and gardenias in little fleece jackets and caps should know another frost advisory has been issued for tonight. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Another cold May night in Wisconsin, another frost advisory as folks scramble to protect their flowers," 11 May 2020 The record-holder remains Canberra’s Chris the Merino, who was found sporting a hefty 90-pound fleece in 2015, according to the Guardian’s Luke Henriques-Gomes. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, "Prickles the Sheep Returns Home After Seven Years on the Lam(b)," 23 Apr. 2020 Houdini Power Air Houdi Conventional fleece garments shed microfibers like a dog sheds on your couch. — Sunset Magazine, "The Best Products to Buy to Celebrate Earth Day," 22 Apr. 2020 They can be made from an endless variety of materials, from fleece-like fabrics to no-nonsense cotton. — Tess Garcia, Teen Vogue, "13 Best Weighted Blankets in 2020: From Budget-Friendly to Organic," 25 Mar. 2020 The safest way to transport your child during chilly winter months is to put them into the car seat (in a prewarmed car, if possible) wearing normal clothing and no more than an extra fleece layer or lightweight jacket. — Annie Lane, oregonlive, "Dear Annie: How does a 64-year-old woman meet a good man?," 21 Feb. 2020 Five years later, his Owl Rock Capital Partners invests about $16.5 billion from a Park Avenue office full of fleece-vested analysts poring over spreadsheets on oversize computer screens. — Matt Wirz, WSJ, "Behind the Rise of Owl Rock: Low Fees," 13 Feb. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb And our waiter was enjoying every tourist-fleecing moment of our meal. — TheWeek, "Chicken en Cocotte: France's one pot solution," 17 May 2020 Wrangle the kiddos for a day at Jersey Shore Alpacas, a local farm in Green Creek, just north of Cape May, for a day of carrot stick-feeding and fleece petting. — Betsy Blumenthal, Condé Nast Traveler, "15 Best Beaches in New Jersey for When You Need to Escape the City," 10 Mar. 2020 Everyone in the king’s realm should be able to read the Bible in English—if only to see what isn’t in it: popes, monks, counterfeit relics used by priests to fleece the poor. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, "Hilary Mantel Takes Thomas Cromwell Down," 5 Apr. 2020 By the mid-‘90s — after fleecing suburban Irwindale of $10 million in an aborted stadium deal and unsuccessfully trying to build at Hollywood Park — the Raiders abruptly returned to Oakland for a second go-around. — Ron Kroichick, SFChronicle.com, "Raiders’ finale in Oakland punctuates emotional journey for team and fans," 13 Dec. 2019 There are even tons of great markdowns on apparel, like Patagonia fleece pullovers and shorts. — Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, "Stock Up on Travel Essentials at eBags for Up to 65% Off — Including Tumi, Samsonite, and Patagonia," 17 Apr. 2020 Staying at new Trump properties aimed at luring lower-end customers and fleecing them with overpriced buffets and gift shops packed with Trump trinkets (made in China) and bias-confirming knickknacks. — Rex Huppke, chicagotribune.com, "Column: The Trumps will indeed be a dynasty that lasts for decades," 28 Aug. 2019 Vanessa: Some people have suggested that a silver lining in all of us being barred from the office is the opportunity to renounce office dressing, and do that thing so associated with freelance life: work in your comfort wear or fleece pajamas. — New York Times, "What Does ‘Dressing for Work’ Mean Now?," 17 Mar. 2020 Are today’s enrichment classes truly enriching our children, or are we being fleeced by the child-development-industrial-complex? — Melinda Wenner Moyer, New York Times, "Are Expensive Activities for Kids a Rip-Off?," 13 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fleece.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Fleece.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fleece. Accessed 2 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for fleece

fleece

noun

English Language Learners Definition of fleece

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the woolly coat of a sheep

: a soft cloth that is used to make warm clothes

chiefly British : a jacket made from this cloth

fleece

verb

English Language Learners Definition of fleece (Entry 2 of 2)

informal : to deceive and take money from (someone)

See the full definition for fleece in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fleece

\ ˈflēs

\

Kids Definition of fleece

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the woolly coat of an animal and especially a sheep

fleece

fleeced; fleecing

Kids Definition of fleece (Entry 2 of 2)

: to rob or cheat by trickery

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