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  • 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing paisley

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"He wasn't the biggest, but he had the heart of a lion," added the ex-Buddies boss, who led the Paisley club to their 2013 League Cup triumph.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

So why did it unravel for the Dutch head coach who many Liverpool fans initially regarded as the calm, transitional Bob Paisley figure to predecessor Klopp's firebrand, charismatic Bill Shankly?

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Celtic's quality shone through though as four goals in six minutes blew the Paisley side away.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Baillie, who has been a priest for 36 years, had denied the charge but was convicted by a jury at Paisley Sheriff Court last month.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

If it was good enough for Arletta Paisley, then surely it could be good enough for us too.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

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