wool
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for wool, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The soft, thick hair of sheep and some other animals, used to make yarn and fabric.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use wool
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English wull, from a very old Germanic and Indo-European root shared with Latin lana and Welsh gwlân.
Full origin of wool →Frequently asked questions
What does “wool” mean?
The word “wool” means the soft, thick hair of sheep and some other animals, used to make yarn and fabric. In plain terms, the soft hair from sheep (and similar animals), or fabric made from it, prized for warmth.
How do you pronounce “wool”?
“Wool” is pronounced wuul (/wʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “wool” in a sentence?
Here is “wool” used in a sentence: “The sweater was knitted from pure merino wool.”
What part of speech is “wool”?
“Wool” is a noun.
Where does the word “wool” come from?
The word “wool” comes from Latin. From Old English wull, from a very old Germanic and Indo-European root shared with Latin lana and Welsh gwlân.
Is “wool” a common word?
“Wool” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “wool” have?
“Wool” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the soft, thick hair of sheep and some other animals, used to make yarn and fabric.
What is the difference between "wool" and "yarn"?
Wool is the soft, thick hair of sheep and some other animals, used as a raw fibre. Yarn is the spun thread made ready for knitting or weaving, and it can be made from wool or from other fibres such as cotton or acrylic.
What is the difference between "wool" and "cotton"?
Wool comes from the hair of sheep and similar animals, while cotton comes from a plant. Wool is warm, elastic, and good at insulating, whereas cotton is lighter and more breathable.
What are common collocations with "wool"?
Common pairings include wool sweater, wool coat, merino wool, ball of wool, and steel wool. These cover both the raw fibre and the cloth or yarn made from it.