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

• coat
• fleece
• fur
• hair
• jacket
• pelage
• pile

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

Customers love this medium-pile and 100% wool rug for its handwoven artisan detail and impressionist take on traditional design. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2025

In 2024, brands such as Dior and Armani faced investigations for labor abuses, and Loro Piana was criticized for paying Peruvian farmers just $280 for the wool used in $9,000 sweaters. —Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Many families around the country have supplemented their living by offering camel trekking to foreigners, and selling the soft-underside wool for pillowy socks, gloves, hats, and blankets. —Matt Dutile, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025

Most natural mattresses are made of a combination of wool, natural latex, and cotton. —Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 June 2025

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