noun Uncommon

paisley

PAYZ-lee

Paisley (noun) means a decorative pattern of curved, teardrop-shaped swirls. Example: “He wore a tie printed with a classic paisley pattern.”

noun

A decorative pattern of curved, teardrop-shaped swirls.

"He wore a tie printed with a classic paisley pattern."

adjective

Decorated with this swirling teardrop pattern.

"She bought a paisley scarf for the winter."

How to use paisley

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe swirly, droplet-shaped print seen on scarves, ties, and fabric.

Common pairings

paisley print paisley pattern paisley shirt

Word forms

paisleys plural, Paisleys plural

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He wore a tie printed with a classic _____ pattern.

Etymology

Named after the town of Paisley in Scotland, once famous for weaving fabric with this pattern.

Rhymes for paisley

key hey bey dey ley grey they joey whey obey prey abbey

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Frequently asked questions

What does “paisley” mean?

The word “paisley” means a decorative pattern of curved, teardrop-shaped swirls. In plain terms, the swirly, droplet-shaped print seen on scarves, ties, and fabric.

How do you pronounce “paisley”?

“Paisley” is pronounced PAYZ-lee (/ˈpeɪzli/ in IPA).

How do you use “paisley” in a sentence?

Here is “paisley” used in a sentence: “He wore a tie printed with a classic paisley pattern.”

What part of speech is “paisley”?

Depending on how it is used, “paisley” can be a noun and an adjective.

Is “paisley” a common word?

“Paisley” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “paisley” have?

“Paisley” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a decorative pattern of curved, teardrop-shaped swirls.