percale

noun

per·​cale (ˌ)pər-ˈkāl 

ˈpər-ˌkāl;

(ˌ)pər-ˈkal 

: a fine closely woven cotton cloth variously finished for clothing, sheeting, and industrial uses

Examples of percale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most percale sheets are made with single-ply threads, which provides its signature crisp feel, and the pima cotton make up has longer fibers than regular cotton for a gentler feel on sensitive skin. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2026

Launch into the season with this percale bedding set in a sky blue colorway. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026

The reversible duvet cover is made from 100 percent organic cotton and has a honeycomb texture on one side and a smooth cotton percale finish on the other. —Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

Cotton doesn’t have the immediate silky feel of microfiber and percale can feel crisp at first. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Persian pargāla

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for percale

• colley
• collie
• dolly
• folly
• golly
• holly
• jolley
• jolly
• lolly
• mollie
• molly
• ollie

Kids Definition

percale

noun

per·​cale (ˌ)pər-ˈkā(ə)l  ˈpər-ˌkā(ə)l 

(ˌ)pər-ˈkal

: a fine closely woven cotton cloth used especially to make sheets and pillowcases