noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

tablecloth

Tablecloth (noun) means a piece of cloth spread over a table, especially to protect it or dress it up for a meal. Example: “She ironed the white tablecloth before the guests arrived.”

noun

A piece of cloth spread over a table, especially to protect it or dress it up for a meal.

"She ironed the white tablecloth before the guests arrived."

"Red wine spilled across the tablecloth at the reception."

How to use tablecloth

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe cloth you lay over a table, usually for dining.

Common pairings

spread a tablecloth a lace tablecloth stain the tablecloth

Word forms

tablecloths plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “tablecloth” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She ironed the white _____ before the guests arrived.

Etymology

From Middle English forms blending "table" with "cloth," replacing the earlier English phrase "board cloth."

Origin: Middle English

Frequently asked questions

What does “tablecloth” mean?

The word “tablecloth” means a piece of cloth spread over a table, especially to protect it or dress it up for a meal. In plain terms, the cloth you lay over a table, usually for dining.

How do you use “tablecloth” in a sentence?

Here is “tablecloth” used in a sentence: “She ironed the white tablecloth before the guests arrived.”

What part of speech is “tablecloth”?

“Tablecloth” is a noun.

Where does the word “tablecloth” come from?

The word “tablecloth” comes from Middle English. From Middle English forms blending "table" with "cloth," replacing the earlier English phrase "board cloth.".

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include tablecloth:

B2 vocabulary words