noun
muslin
MUHZ-lihn
Muslin (noun) means a lightweight, plain-woven cotton fabric. Example: “She wrapped the cheese in muslin before hanging it to dry.”
noun
1
A lightweight, plain-woven cotton fabric.
"She wrapped the cheese in muslin before hanging it to dry."
"The baby was swaddled in a soft muslin blanket."
2
A rough, inexpensive test version of a dress pattern made up before cutting the real fabric.
"The designer made a muslin first to check the fit before using the expensive silk."
How to use muslin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA thin, plain cotton cloth used for everything from baby wraps to dressmaking test pieces.
Common pairings
muslin cloth
muslin square
wrapped in muslin
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Word forms
- Plural
- muslins
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wrapped the cheese in _____ before hanging it to dry.
Etymology
From French mousseline, from Italian mussolina, named after Mosul, the Iraqi city where the fabric was originally associated with trade.
Frequently asked questions
What does “muslin” mean?
The word “muslin” means a lightweight, plain-woven cotton fabric. In plain terms, a thin, plain cotton cloth used for everything from baby wraps to dressmaking test pieces.
How do you pronounce “muslin”?
“Muslin” is pronounced MUHZ-lihn (/ˈmʌz.lɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “muslin” in a sentence?
Here is “muslin” used in a sentence: “She wrapped the cheese in muslin before hanging it to dry.”
What part of speech is “muslin”?
“Muslin” is a noun.
Where does the word “muslin” come from?
The word “muslin” comes from French. From French mousseline, from Italian mussolina, named after Mosul, the Iraqi city where the fabric was originally associated with trade.
How many meanings does “muslin” have?
“Muslin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a lightweight, plain-woven cotton fabric.
