English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

burlap

BUR-lap

Burlap (noun) means a rough, sturdy woven fabric made from jute or similar fibers, often used for sacks. Example: “The potatoes were sold in a burlap sack.”

noun
1
A rough, sturdy woven fabric made from jute or similar fibers, often used for sacks.
"The potatoes were sold in a burlap sack."
"She used burlap ribbon to decorate the rustic-themed tables."

How to use burlap

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA coarse, tough fabric commonly used for sacks and rustic decoration.

Common pairings
burlap sack burlap ribbon

Word forms

burlapped past tense, burlaps plural, burlaps singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “burlap” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The potatoes were sold in a _____ sack.

Etymology

Origin uncertain, but possibly related to a coarse woolen cloth called "burel" combined with "lap" (a flap of cloth); a Dutch origin has also been suggested.

Origin: Dutch

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “burlap” mean?

The word “burlap” means a rough, sturdy woven fabric made from jute or similar fibers, often used for sacks. In plain terms, a coarse, tough fabric commonly used for sacks and rustic decoration.

How do you pronounce “burlap”?

“Burlap” is pronounced BUR-lap (/ˈbɝlæp/ in IPA).

How do you use “burlap” in a sentence?

Here is “burlap” used in a sentence: “The potatoes were sold in a burlap sack.”

What part of speech is “burlap”?

“Burlap” is a noun.

Where does the word “burlap” come from?

The word “burlap” comes from Dutch. Origin uncertain, but possibly related to a coarse woolen cloth called "burel" combined with "lap" (a flap of cloth); a Dutch origin has also been suggested.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial