Fair Isle
American-
a banded geometrical pattern knitted into garments using variously colored woolen yarns.
-
clothing featuring such a pattern, especially sweaters.
noun
Etymology
Origin of Fair Isle
After Fair Isle, one of the Shetland Islands where the knitting pattern originated
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.
The findings, published in the Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society, focus on four island subspecies found in Scotland: Shetland, Fair Isle, the Outer Hebrides, and St Kilda.
From Science Daily • May 28, 2026
Wrens from Fair Isle and the Outer Hebrides remained more genetically similar to mainland birds, showing that island evolution can vary significantly even across nearby islands.
From Science Daily • May 28, 2026
Eileen Thomson, director of Fair Isle Development Company, said it was hoped a family could be attracted to the tenancy to help support the school which has just four pupils.
From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026
As Cal tells his former best friend, Isla, her Fair Isle sweater boasts 29 different shades.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026
I was a living experiment dressed in white corduroys and a Fair Isle sweater.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
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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.