earthenware having an opaque white glaze with an overglaze decoration, usually in blue.
any pottery resembling this.
a town in the SW Netherlands, in South Holland province. Pop: 97 000 (2003 est)
Also called: delftware. tin-glazed earthenware made in Delft since the 17th century, typically having blue decoration on a white ground
a similar earthenware made in England
First recorded in 1705–15; after Delft
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The gently moving backdrops, painted deep delft blue, looked like they had sprung from a sumptuous picture book.
From New York Times • Jul. 13, 2018
Key pieces: Call us old-fashioned, but our favorite piece was a more traditional delft blue twill suit.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2014
Royal weddings were routinely marked with goblets or delft plates, but it was not until the coronation of King George II in 1727 that manufacturers were allowed to reproduce the monarch's likeness.
From The Guardian • Mar. 20, 2011
Ann turned back to the fireplace and filled her big delft cup to the brim with strong coffee, and, blowing upon it to cool it, she gulped it down.
From Ann Boyd by Harben, Will N. (Will Nathaniel)
The illustrations are drawn from some delft figures, ornaments in a Kiltartan house.
From The Kiltartan History Book by Gregory, Lady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
