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

This one that reminds me of Hudson’s has the highest wool count among its Amazon competitors, at 50 percent. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025

Rich Connolly leather and plaid wool comprise its split bench seat, which Ward himself has spent an immense amount of time to get just right. —Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 3 Dec. 2025

Bombas Merino Wool-blend Half-calf Socks Merino wool socks are elite for travel, and Bombas’ version is my go-to for everything from red-eyes to road trips. —Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2025

Ultrablack wool textiles inspired by hierarchical avian structure. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 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