a fabric constructed in twill weave.
a garment, as a suit or trousers, of this fabric.
to weave in the manner of a twill.
to weave in twill construction.
See contraction.
1300–50; north and Scots variant of twilly (noun), Middle English twyle, Old English twilī ( c ), half translation, half adoption of Latin bilīc- (stem of bilīx ) having double thread. See twi-
Twill is a sturdy type of fabric that's woven in a distinctive diagonal pattern. You probably have twill in your closet — most jeans are made from denim twill. Twill is often made of cotton, and the particular method used to weave it creates a durable cloth that can be used for clothes or upholstery. Your sofa may be covered in twill — one type to look for is herringbone, in which you can see a pattern of small Vs. The word twill comes from the Old English twili, "woven with double thread," and its Latin root bilix, "with a double thread."
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bennett Winch’s holdall consists of an outer Tuscan-leather “suit carrier”—that’s British for garment bag—that wraps around an inner canvas twill barrel bag, secured by magnetic snaps and straps.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025
Reconstructed from excess items and materials from past seasons, the jacket features functional stone-shaped pockets outlined with broken twill.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2024
According to Adidas, the Weagle design on the front of the sweater features a “combination of sublimation and classic twill embroidery,” producing a bevel effect.
From Washington Post • Jan. 26, 2023
A case in point were the teeming white beaded tapestry embroideries gracing a structured ecru wool twill coat.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 24, 2022
He said he would not, at present, allow for expenditure on any dresses of fine stuffs, but rather recommended she brood on worsted and prunella twill.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
