sheet
sheet
Sheet (noun) means a large piece of thin cloth used to cover a mattress or bed. Example: “She changed the sheets before her guests arrived.”
noun
1
A large piece of thin cloth used to cover a mattress or bed.
"She changed the sheets before her guests arrived."
"He pulled the clean sheet tight over the mattress corners."
"The hotel provides fresh sheets and towels every morning."
2
A single flat piece of paper, or a similar flat, thin layer of material.
"Please fill in your details on the sheet provided."
"The roof is covered with a sheet of corrugated metal."
"The teacher handed out a sheet of paper with ten questions."
3
A wide, flat stretch of something, such as rain, ice, or water.
"Rain fell in sheets across the car park."
"A thin sheet of ice covered the pond this morning."
"The flood left a sheet of water across the whole field."
How to use sheet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flat piece of cloth (for a bed) or paper, or more generally any thin, wide layer of something.
Common pairings
bed sheets
a sheet of paper
sheets of rain
balance sheet
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Word forms
- Plural
- sheets
- Third person singular
- sheets
- Past tense
- sheeted
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She changed the _____ before her guests arrived.
Etymology
From Old English sċīete, "a piece of cloth," and a related Old English word for the corner of a sail — both ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to throw" or "project."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for sheet
See all rhymes for sheet →Frequently asked questions
What does “sheet” mean?
The word “sheet” means a large piece of thin cloth used to cover a mattress or bed. In plain terms, a flat piece of cloth (for a bed) or paper, or more generally any thin, wide layer of something.
How do you pronounce “sheet”?
“Sheet” is pronounced sheet (/ʃit/ in IPA).
How do you use “sheet” in a sentence?
Here is “sheet” used in a sentence: “She changed the sheets before her guests arrived.”
What part of speech is “sheet”?
“Sheet” is a noun.
Where does the word “sheet” come from?
The word “sheet” comes from Old English. From Old English sċīete, "a piece of cloth," and a related Old English word for the corner of a sail — both ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to throw" or "project.".
Is “sheet” a common word?
“Sheet” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sheet” have?
“Sheet” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large piece of thin cloth used to cover a mattress or bed.
What is the difference between a fitted sheet and a flat sheet?
A fitted sheet has elasticated corners that stretch snugly over the mattress to stay in place. A flat sheet is a plain rectangle laid loosely on top, between you and the blanket or duvet. Many bed sets include both, though some people use only a fitted sheet with a duvet.
Does the word "sheet" only refer to bedding?
No. While this definition covers the bed sheet, "sheet" also means a single piece of paper, a broad flat surface of any thin material such as a sheet of metal or glass, and a large expanse, as in "a sheet of rain" or "a sheet of ice." Context determines the meaning.
What are bed sheets usually made from?
Bed sheets are most commonly made from cotton, valued for its softness and breathability, with cotton percale and sateen being popular weaves. Other materials include linen, which is cool and durable, microfibre and polyester blends, which are affordable and wrinkle-resistant, and bamboo, prized for its smooth, silky feel.
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