dishtowel

American  

[dish-tou-uhl] / ˈdɪʃˌtaʊ əl /

noun

1. a towel for drying dishes.

---

dishtowel British  

/ ˈdɪʃˌtaʊəl /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): tea towel.  a towel for drying dishes and kitchen utensils

---

Etymology

Origin of dishtowel

First recorded in 1865–70; dish + towel

Compare meaning

How does dishtowel compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• tea towel vs. dishtowel

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dishtowel

Spread the seeds in a single layer on a dishtowel to thoroughly dry, at least 3 hours, preferably 12 or more.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 26, 2023

Or fashion your own sheath, even if it’s just a dishtowel secured with rubber bands.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 15, 2019

Thick blue cotton is traditional, but a dishtowel, or a square cut from an old shirt will be fine.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2019

She reached for a thin blue dishtowel, and wiped tears from her eyes.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 4, 2015

She goes to the sink, runs her hands briefly under the tap, dries them on the dishtowel.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood