noun
doily
DOY-lee
Doily (noun) means a small decorative mat, usually of lace, linen, or paper, placed under dishes or ornaments. Example: “A lace doily sat beneath the teapot on the sideboard.”
noun
1
A small decorative mat, usually of lace, linen, or paper, placed under dishes or ornaments.
"A lace doily sat beneath the teapot on the sideboard."
How to use doily
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small decorative mat, often lacy, used under plates, vases, or cakes.
Common pairings
a paper doily
a lace doily
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Word forms
- Plural
- doilies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A lace _____ sat beneath the teapot on the sideboard.
Etymology
Named after Doiley, a 17th-century London draper whose surname gave rise to the word.
Class of 1600
doily joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →
doyly
doyley
Rhymes for doily
See all rhymes for doily →Frequently asked questions
What does “doily” mean?
The word “doily” means a small decorative mat, usually of lace, linen, or paper, placed under dishes or ornaments. In plain terms, a small decorative mat, often lacy, used under plates, vases, or cakes.
How do you pronounce “doily”?
“Doily” is pronounced DOY-lee (/ˈdɔɪli/ in IPA).
How do you use “doily” in a sentence?
Here is “doily” used in a sentence: “A lace doily sat beneath the teapot on the sideboard.”
What part of speech is “doily”?
“Doily” is a noun.
Where does the word “doily” come from?
The word “doily” dates back to around 1600. Named after Doiley, a 17th-century London draper whose surname gave rise to the word.
