calico
12 synonyms for calico, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A plain, inexpensive cotton fabric, often printed with a simple pattern.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use calico
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
calico cat
calico print
calico fabric
Etymology
Named after Calicut (Kozhikode), the Indian port city from which the cloth was originally exported to Europe.
Full origin of calico →Frequently asked questions
What does “calico” mean?
The word “calico” means a plain, inexpensive cotton fabric, often printed with a simple pattern. In plain terms, a type of cotton cloth, or, describing an animal, having a multicolored patchy coat.
How do you pronounce “calico”?
“Calico” is pronounced KA-lih-koh (/ˈkæ.lɪ.koʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “calico” in a sentence?
Here is “calico” used in a sentence: “She made curtains out of a cheerful floral calico.”
What part of speech is “calico”?
Depending on how it is used, “calico” can be a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “calico” have?
“Calico” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a plain, inexpensive cotton fabric, often printed with a simple pattern.
