percale

American

[per-kayl] / pərˈkeɪl /

noun

a closely woven, smooth-finished, plain or printed cotton cloth, used for bed sheets, clothing, etc.

percale British

/ pəˈkeɪl, -ˈkɑːl /

noun

a close-textured woven cotton fabric, plain or printed, used esp for sheets

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of percale

1615–25; < French < Persian pargāla rag; replacing percalla < Persian

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.

See Examples For:

percale

But what I really splurged on were my percale sheets, matching duvet cover, and the most cloud-like comforter imaginable to make the place where I lay my head at night the happiest place to be.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2022

Kaye likes the classic choice, percale, which she says has “more of a cool hand feel.”

From Washington Post ● Nov. 2, 2021

They validated my instincts that the percale would be my breathable nighttime savior—so I bought it.

From Slate ● Apr. 14, 2021

It’s made from linen and percale, so it’s the ideal weight for getting cozy.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 12, 2020

She buys mismatched teaspoons, percale pillowcases, colored candles, soaps on ropes.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023