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

Miller custom designed a chaise, upholstered in a Pierre Frey burgundy wool check with extra legroom to accommodate Henkemeyer’s tall husband, Jim. —Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026

Almost all of her daytime choices are neutral tones — soft grays or muted colors, pinstriped wool blazers and soft charcoals. —Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026

The hotel has 176 guest rooms and suites, designed with mid-century details, wool carpeting, graphic patterns, and rich velvets. —Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2026

Image architect Law Roach made a solo statement at this year’s Met Gala in a custom look by AMI Paris, wearing an oversized cream suit in ivory wool layered over a long silk crepe shirt. —Mecca Pryor, Essence, 4 May 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