Jump To:

• paisley
  paisley

  noun

  a soft woolen fabric woven with a pattern of colorful and minutely detailed figures.
• Paisley
  Paisley

  noun

  a city in the Strathclyde region, in SW Scotland, W of Glasgow: thread factories.

paisley

¹ American  

[peyz-lee] / ˈpeɪz li /

Or Paisley

noun

• paisleys
  plural

1. a soft woolen fabric woven with a pattern of colorful and minutely detailed figures.

2. a shawl, scarf, tie, or other article made of this fabric.

3. a silk print simulating this fabric and weave.

4. Also called paisley print.  a pattern resembling the design or figure on this fabric or material.

---

adjective

1. made of paisley.

   a paisley shawl.

2. having the pattern of a paisley.

Paisley ² American  

[peyz-lee] / ˈpeɪz li /

noun

1. a city in the Strathclyde region, in SW Scotland, W of Glasgow: thread factories.

2. paisley.

---

paisley ¹ British  

/ ˈpeɪzlɪ /

noun

1. a pattern of small curving shapes with intricate detailing, usually printed in bright colours

2. a soft fine wool fabric traditionally printed with this pattern

3. a garment made of this fabric, esp a shawl popular in the late 19th century

4. (modifier) of or decorated with this pattern

   a paisley scarf

---

Paisley ² British  

/ ˈpeɪzlɪ /

noun

1. Bob. 1919–96, English footballer and manager: played for Liverpool (1939–54); under his management (1974–83) Liverpool won six English titles and the European Cup three times (1977, 1978, 1981)

2. Ian ( Richard Kyle ) Baron. born 1926, Northern Ireland politician and Presbyterian minister; cofounder (1972) and leader of the Ulster Democratic Unionist Party, First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2007 to 2008

---

Paisley ³ British  

/ ˈpeɪzlɪ /

noun

1. an industrial town in SW Scotland, the administrative centre of Renfrewshire: one of the world's chief centres for the manufacture of thread, linen, and gauze in the 19th century. Pop: 74 170 (2001)

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• paisleys
  plural

Etymology

Origin of paisley

First recorded in 1825–35; named after Paisley

Explanation

If your favorite scarf is printed with a pattern consisting of shapes that look like drops of water, you are a fan of paisley and its swirly curves and colors. This Scottish toponym, or place name, (from the town of Paisley, in Renfrewshire) denotes a fabric design that was massively manufactured there in the 19th century. A paisley design itself is Middle Eastern in origin though, having traveled to Europe in the colonial period and become so popular that import could not meet demand.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

paisley Paisley paisleys

A geriatric care worker in her late 50s, she is looking for a design in a particular shade of baby pink with a dull gold paisley motif.

From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2026

Some versions were encrusted with jewels in paisley patterns, taking on an antique feel, others were clear and hot pink.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2025

The ancient Persian paisley motif has long been a symbol for strength and fertility, and a brushed Zen circle filling one panel represents inner peace while doubling as a planetary emblem.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2024

Further investigation uncovered a full skeleton with a faded, paisley dress and pointed heels.

From New York Times ● May 16, 2024

Liyana wore blue jeans with paisley patches on the knees and her aunts pointed and whispered.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye

The Bangles came up through L.A.’s ’60s-steeped Paisley Underground scene and found stardom after the addition of Michael Steele with “Manic Monday,” a sparkling pop-rock gem gifted to the band by Prince.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

A former minister in the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown governments, he was first elected to represent Paisley and Renfrewshire South in 1997.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Keegan was the spearhead of Shankly's second great side, in total winning three league titles, the European Cup, FA Cup and the Uefa Cup twice under his Scottish mentor and then his successor Bob Paisley.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

“Gold was on a tear in January and it’s down a lot since because it’s being viewed as more of a risky asset,” said Paisley Nardini, head of multi-asset solutions at Simplify Asset Management.

From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026

As well as a nationally recognizable face, Paisley brings the power of her Hearth & Home Network show, Queen of Neat.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

One particularly vibrant example from the Caucasus has a pattern of stylized, almost hexagonal paisleys in an array of colors.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 28, 2023

But in the combination of two puff-sleeved organza shift dresses embroidered with fuzzy pastel paisleys and sparkles like a fairy-tale nightie, and canvas painter’s pants.

From New York Times ● Sep. 23, 2021

When Landau appeared on the The Pinche Gringo Show!, he sported what he called an “Austin Powers jacket” complete with green paisleys, joking that he needed to be “hip” for the audience.

From Slate ● Jul. 29, 2020

The theatre had the grandeur of a cathedral: blood-red velvet curtains framed the stage; golden ceilings, patterned with blue-and-purple paisleys, soared over vaudeville-era balconies and plush seats.

From The New Yorker ● Jan. 8, 2017

I put the skinny blonde in flat white sandals, a braided coronet, and a red maxi covered with white paisleys.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins