paisley

¹ American  

[peyz-lee] / ˈpeɪz li /

Or Paisley

noun

plural

paisleys

1. a soft woolen fabric woven with a pattern of colorful and minutely detailed figures.

2. a shawl, scarf, tie, or other article made of this fabric.

3. a silk print simulating this fabric and weave.

4. Also called paisley print.  a pattern resembling the design or figure on this fabric or material.

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adjective

1. made of paisley.

   a paisley shawl.

2. having the pattern of a paisley.

Paisley ² American  

[peyz-lee] / ˈpeɪz li /

noun

1. a city in the Strathclyde region, in SW Scotland, W of Glasgow: thread factories.

2. paisley.

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paisley ¹ British  

/ ˈpeɪzlɪ /

noun

1. a pattern of small curving shapes with intricate detailing, usually printed in bright colours

2. a soft fine wool fabric traditionally printed with this pattern

3. a garment made of this fabric, esp a shawl popular in the late 19th century

4. (modifier) of or decorated with this pattern

   a paisley scarf

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Paisley ² British  

/ ˈpeɪzlɪ /

noun

1. Bob. 1919–96, English footballer and manager: played for Liverpool (1939–54); under his management (1974–83) Liverpool won six English titles and the European Cup three times (1977, 1978, 1981)

2. Ian ( Richard Kyle ) Baron. born 1926, Northern Ireland politician and Presbyterian minister; cofounder (1972) and leader of the Ulster Democratic Unionist Party, First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2007 to 2008

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Paisley ³ British  

/ ˈpeɪzlɪ /

noun

1. an industrial town in SW Scotland, the administrative centre of Renfrewshire: one of the world's chief centres for the manufacture of thread, linen, and gauze in the 19th century. Pop: 74 170 (2001)

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Etymology

Origin of paisley

First recorded in 1825–35; named after Paisley

Example Sentences

A geriatric care worker in her late 50s, she is looking for a design in a particular shade of baby pink with a dull gold paisley motif.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

Further investigation uncovered a full skeleton with a faded, paisley dress and pointed heels.

From New York Times • May 16, 2024

However, not far from Spectra is Mismo, an art installation of colorful paisley teardrop sculptures by Sofia Enriquez that was originally part of the program at Coachella 2019.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2024

One minute, Ben-Adir would be prancing around to I'm Just Ken, the next he'd be hunched over in his paisley shirt, studying the cadences of Redemption Song.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2024

His white shirt was open at the collar, permitted so by pulling down the knot of his pale paisley tie.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck