wool

noun

ˈwu̇l 

often attributive

1

: the soft wavy or curly usually thick undercoat of various hairy mammals and especially the sheep made up of a matrix of keratin fibers and covered with minute scales

2

: a product of wool

especially : a woven fabric or garment of such fabric

3

a

: a dense felted pubescence especially on a plant : tomentum

b

: a filamentous mass

—usually used in combination compare mineral wool, steel wool

Synonyms of wool

• hair
• coat
• fleece
• fur

Examples of wool in a Sentence

She doesn't like wool because it can be itchy.

the wool from cashmere goats is considered by many to be the finest available

Recent Examples on the Web

The women's beanie is highly functional, too, thanks to a blend of wool and synthetic materials that’ll take the chill out of biting days and perfectly stretch to fit your head. —Alison Syrett Cleary, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026

When deconstructed, the coat features one wool layer that serves as a jacket on its own, and another reversible layer that functions as a lightweight quilted down jacket. —Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026

This is most damaging to wool and silk fabrics and leather shoes. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026

The green-on-white one is low-pro, includes tactile and contrasting suede details, is thoroughly co-branded, and will be just the thing for pairing with a wintertime ensemble composed of baggy jeans and a wool coat. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wolle, from Old English wull; akin to Old High German wolla wool, Latin vellus fleece, lana wool

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wool

• combing wool
• cotton wool
• cotton wool ball
• dyed-in-the-wool
• glass wool
• lamb's wool
• mineral wool
• pull the wool over one's eyes
• pull the wool over someone's eyes
• Shetland wool
• steel wool
• virgin wool
• wire wool
• wool fat
• wool grease

Rhymes for wool

• full
• pull
• brimful
• handful
• mouthful
• roomful
• spoonful

Kids Definition

wool

noun

ˈwu̇l 

1

: the soft wavy or curly usually thick undercoat of various mammals and especially the sheep

2

: a fabric or garment made of wool

3

: material that resembles a mass of wool

wooled

ˈwu̇ld

adjective