noun
Uncommon
fleece
flihys
Fleece (noun) means the woolly coat of a sheep, or wool shorn from it in one piece. Example: “The farmer sheared the fleece from each sheep in spring.”
noun
1
The woolly coat of a sheep, or wool shorn from it in one piece.
"The farmer sheared the fleece from each sheep in spring."
2
A soft, warm synthetic fabric, or a garment made from it.
"She pulled on a fleece before heading out into the cold."
verb
1
(informal) To cheat or overcharge someone.
"The mechanic fleeced him for a repair he didn't even need."
How to use fleece
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sheep's wool coat, the soft fabric named after it, or (informally) to swindle someone out of money.
Common pairings
fleece jacket
sheep's fleece
fleece someone out of money
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Word forms
- Plural
- fleeces
- Third person singular
- fleeces
- Past tense
- fleeced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farmer sheared the _____ from each sheep in spring.
Etymology
From Old English fleos, referring to a sheep's coat of wool.
Related words
Rhymes for fleece
See all rhymes for fleece →Frequently asked questions
What does “fleece” mean?
The word “fleece” means the woolly coat of a sheep, or wool shorn from it in one piece. In plain terms, a sheep's wool coat, the soft fabric named after it, or (informally) to swindle someone out of money.
How do you pronounce “fleece”?
“Fleece” is pronounced flihys (/fliːs/ in IPA).
How do you use “fleece” in a sentence?
Here is “fleece” used in a sentence: “The farmer sheared the fleece from each sheep in spring.”
What part of speech is “fleece”?
Depending on how it is used, “fleece” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fleece” come from?
The word “fleece” comes from Old English. From Old English fleos, referring to a sheep's coat of wool.
Is “fleece” a common word?
“Fleece” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fleece” have?
“Fleece” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the woolly coat of a sheep, or wool shorn from it in one piece.
