damask

American  

[dam-uhsk] / ˈdæm əsk /

noun

1. a reversible fabric of linen, silk, cotton, or wool, woven with patterns.

2. napery of this material.

3. Metallurgy.

   1. Also called damask steel.  Damascus steel.

   2. the pattern or wavy appearance peculiar to the surface of such steel.

4. the pink color of the damask rose.

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adjective

1. made of or resembling damask.

   damask cloth.

2. of the pink color of the damask rose.

verb (used with object)

1. to damascene.

2. to weave or adorn with elaborate design, as damask cloth.

damask British  

/ ˈdæməsk /

noun

1. 1. a reversible fabric, usually silk or linen, with a pattern woven into it. It is used for table linen, curtains, etc

   2. table linen made from this

   3. ( as modifier )

      a damask tablecloth

2. short for Damascus steel

3. the wavy markings on such steel

4. 1. the greyish-pink colour of the damask rose

   2. ( as adjective )

      damask wallpaper

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verb

1. (tr) another word for damascene

Other Word Forms

• undamasked adjective

Etymology

Origin of damask

1200–50; Middle English damaske < Medieval Latin damascus, named after Damascus where fabrics were first made

Explanation

Damask is a luxurious, heavy fabric that's often used to upholster furniture. Your grandparents love their new kitten so much that they don't even mind her clawing holes in their damask curtains. The word damask comes from Damascus, the Syrian city where this kind of fabric was originally made — it literally means "cloth from Damascus." Damask was one of the main styles of weaving during the early Middle Ages, and it has been a popular choice for fancy clothing, table coverings, and home decor ever since. Today some damask is made of synthetic material, but historically it was most often made from silk.

Example Sentences

Across the landing, the Yellow Room also boasts expensive furnishings, especially the bed, which is covered in bright yellow damask, re-creating a bed Washington acquired in 1758.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

After the service, Francis's body — dressed in a red chasuble and a damask and golden papal mitre — will be transported to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome for burial.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2025

Upstairs, the silk damask draperies, crystal chandeliers and sumptuous beds feel opulent and the rooms are simply huge.

From Seattle Times • May 25, 2024

Opie’s backdrop is a damask drapery in dark green, red’s vivifying complementary color.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2024

Next I slipped out of my damask gown and wrapped my shorn hair and my clothes in a tight bundle for Horatio to destroy.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

• bedding
• cloth
• lingerie