oilcloth

[oil-klawth, -kloth]

noun

plural

oilcloths 

1. a cotton fabric made waterproof by being treated with oil and pigment, for use as tablecloths, shelf coverings, and the like.

2. a piece of this fabric.

oilcloth

/ ˈɔɪlˌklɒθ /

noun

1. waterproof material made by treating one side of a cotton fabric with a drying oil, or a synthetic resin

2. another name for linoleum

Word History and Origins

Origin of oilcloth¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; oil + cloth

Example Sentences

“Swap out the linen cloth for a wipeable oilcloth when it’s time for the kids to do homework or an art project,” she advises.

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He reached behind himself, hacking blindly at the cord, but only succeeded in becoming more entangled, both in the rope and the oilcloth that had been draped from the scaffolding above.

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I hustled to aisle three, slipped out the roll of green oilcloth printed with lemon slices, and walked up to the cutting counter.

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Apart from the boiler, other items on the tank include an oilcloth table cloth from the family's summer house, new Disney bedsheets for her children and a red blanket, she says.

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She stroked her hand across the oilcloth on the table.

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