corduroy

American  

[kawr-duh-roi, kawr-duh-roi] / ˈkɔr dəˌrɔɪ, ˌkɔr dəˈrɔɪ /

noun

1. a cotton-filling pile fabric with lengthwise cords or ridges.

2. corduroys, trousers made of this fabric.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling corduroy.

2. constructed of logs laid together transversely, as a road across swampy ground.

verb (used with object)

1. to form (a road or the like) by laying logs transversely.

2. to make a corduroy road across or along.

corduroy British  

/ ˌkɔːdəˈrɔɪ, ˈkɔːdəˌrɔɪ /

noun

1. See also corduroys

   1. a heavy cotton pile fabric with lengthways ribs

   2. ( as modifier )

      a corduroy coat

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Etymology

Origin of corduroy

1780–90; perhaps cord ( cf. cords) + duroy, deroy (now obsolete) a woolen fabric originating in W England; later taken as French cord du roy the king's cords, though the fabric had no connection with France

Explanation

Corduroy is a thick fabric with ridges or ribs running along its length. You can use corduroy to make clothing or to upholster furniture. The fabric known as corduroy is most famously used to make the jean-style pants also known as corduroys. The pattern on a piece of corduroy is called a "cord," the ridges that distinguish corduroy from its close relative, velvet. Another kind of corduroy is an often temporary road that's laid with many logs in a row — corduroy roads have been used during wars to bridge swampy areas quickly.

Example Sentences

Sedaris’ previous books include such humorous works as “Me Talk Pretty One Day” and “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 8, 2023

Davis recently published a book for children, an updated version of a 1968 classic, Corduroy, which she used to read to Genesis.

From The Guardian • Oct. 20, 2018

If Rose’s Luxury and Bad Saint are the Blake Livelys of D.C. dining, Corduroy is its Meryl Streep: understated, sophisticated and consistently impressive.

From Washington Post • Jul. 28, 2016

Dr. Corduroy does not make a clear diagnosis, nor does he cure Eleanor’s condition; the end, which is ambiguous, seems to indicate that John and Eleanor accept the weather and each other as they are.

From The New Yorker • Jul. 19, 2016

Better yet, he has a few set pieces about Corduroy Greg because he used to work for him, too, and hates the guy.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King