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

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, 1 Jan. 2026

Its patent-pending bioactive keratin ferment, a blend of lactobacillus, hydrolyzed wool keratin, and honey, fills in the micro-cracks left by chemical or thermal damage, reducing breakage and restoring elasticity after just one use. —Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 31 Dec. 2025

The product can damage wool fibers and leave them brittle. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 31 Dec. 2025

Here, a gray wool skirt and vest strike the perfect balance between cozy and sophisticated. —Julia Guerra, InStyle, 31 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