sackcloth

noun

sack·​cloth ˈsa(k)-ˌklȯth 

1

: a coarse cloth of goat or camel's hair or of flax, hemp, or cotton

2

: a garment of sackcloth worn as a sign of mourning or penitence

Examples of sackcloth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Basically a man who had built a solid reputation as a career university president naively entered the Church of Florida Autocracy, donned sackcloth and ashes and prostrated himself … ultimately for no heavenly reward whatsoever. —Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025

Activists cloaked in sackcloth marched outside the parking lots. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025

The tradition of receiving ashes originates from biblical times when wearing sackcloth and ashes symbolized repentance. —Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025

The travails of these people, including a suspenseful interrogation sequence sending Eunice and her adolescent daughter, their heads wrapped in black sackcloth, to the very place Rubens was seen recently. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

sack entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sackcloth

• don/wear sackcloth and ashes

Rhymes for sackcloth

• broadcloth
• cheesecloth
• loincloth
• neckcloth
• oilcloth
• washcloth
• broth
• cloth
• doth
• froth
• goth
• loth

Kids Definition

sackcloth

noun

sack·​cloth ˈsak-ˌ(k)lȯth 

1

: rough cloth for sacks

2

: a garment of sackcloth worn as a sign of sorrow