paisley

adjective

pais·​ley ˈpāz-lē 

variants often Paisley

1

: made typically of soft wool and woven or printed with colorful curved abstract figures

2

: marked by designs, patterns, or figures typically used in paisley fabrics

a paisley print

paisley noun

Examples of paisley in a Sentence

The wallpaper is a paisley print.

Recent Examples on the Web

In photos obtained by People, Sheeran's look featured a turquoise suit with a subtle paisley print. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 3 July 2026

The Princess of Wales wore another Bellville Sassoon dress — a white off-the-shoulder chiffon piece with purple and pink pastel paisley details — to attend the Royal Variety Performance in 1984. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Channel a nautical theme with this blue paisley cotton find. — Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026

Wearing a blue suit and paisley tie while flanked by a large showing of supporters, Magnano did not speak during the brief hearing. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Paisley, Scotland

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

paisley

adjective

pais·​ley ˈpāz-lē 

often capitalized

: made with colorful curved figures

a paisley shawl

paisley noun

Geographical Definition

Paisley

geographical name

Pais·​ley ˈpāz-lē 

burgh in southwestern Scotland west of Glasgow population 77,000