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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 notes

In plain EnglishA small decorative mat, often lacy, used under plates, vases, or cakes.

Common pairings
a paper doily a lace doily

Word forms

doilies plural

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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.

· First attested 1600

Class of 1600 doily joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
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.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial