vellum

1 of 2

noun

vel·​lum ˈve-ləm 

1

: a fine-grained unsplit lambskin, kidskin, or calfskin prepared especially for writing on or for binding books

2

: a strong cream-colored paper

vellum

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, resembling, or bound in vellum

2

: slightly rough

paper with a vellum finish

Examples of vellum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Before the biro, writing with ink hadn't changed much since ancient times when people used to cut goose quills into nibs with a slit in the tip to hold ink to convey to a sheet of paper, vellum, or papyrus. —New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025

Thousands of scientists are now calling for Musk’s name to be blotted out from that charter’s fine vellum pages. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025

Adjective

But its closest real-life approximation is the 1511 Westminster Tournament, immortalized on a vellum roll. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2020

These stoneware pieces, glazed with either vellum whites or bronzy browns, evoke bowls or vases in their symmetry and roundness, their open, hollow interiors, and their use of the age-old pinch-and-coil method. —Roberta Smith, Will Heinrich, Martha Schwendener and Jason Farago, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English velym, borrowed from Anglo-French velim, veeslin, noun derivative of *veelin "of a calf," from veel "calf" + -in -ine entry 1 — more at veal entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for vellum

• bellum
• pelham
• velum
• antebellum
• cerebellum
• coelom
• flagellum
• labellum
• scutellum

Kids Definition

vellum

noun

vel·​lum

ˈvel-əm

1

: a fine-grained lambskin, kidskin, or calfskin prepared especially for writing on or for binding books

2

: a strong cream-colored paper resembling vellum

vellum adjective