cotton
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for cotton, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A soft white fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant, used to make thread and fabric.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use cotton
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Arabic quṭun via Old Italian and Old French coton, reaching English in the Middle Ages through the medieval cotton trade.
Full origin of cotton →Frequently asked questions
What does “cotton” mean?
The word “cotton” means a soft white fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant, used to make thread and fabric. In plain terms, the soft plant fibre used for clothing and thread — or, as a verb, to warm up to someone or catch on to something.
How do you pronounce “cotton”?
“Cotton” is pronounced KOT-n (/ˈkɑt.n̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “cotton” in a sentence?
Here is “cotton” used in a sentence: “The shirt is made from 100% cotton.”
What part of speech is “cotton”?
Depending on how it is used, “cotton” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cotton” come from?
The word “cotton” comes from Old French. From Arabic quṭun via Old Italian and Old French coton, reaching English in the Middle Ages through the medieval cotton trade.
Is “cotton” a common word?
“Cotton” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “cotton” have?
“Cotton” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft white fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant, used to make thread and fabric.
What is the difference between cotton and wool?
Cotton is a plant fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant. Wool is an animal fibre obtained from the fleece of sheep and some other animals, and it tends to be warmer and more elastic than cotton.
What is the difference between cotton and polyester?
Cotton is a natural fibre grown from a plant, prized for being soft and breathable. Polyester is a synthetic, man-made fibre produced from chemicals, valued for durability and resistance to wrinkling.