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

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

Cardinals wear similar clothes, but they can be distinguished by their more ornate damask pattern mitres, which look cream rather than white.

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

A damask dressing gown—and Mr. Lyte’s best wig on a wig rest.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

Related Words

• bedding
• cloth
• lingerie