percale

American

[per-keyl] / pərˈkeɪl /

noun

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

percale British

/ -ˈkɑːl, pəˈkeɪl /

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.

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

Our percale is made from 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton and is garment-washed for a soft texture and casual appearance.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 12, 2020

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Some people find L.L.Bean’s percale set rough.

From Slate • Sep. 21, 2018

The other women had on percale and calico with here and there a headrag among the older ones.

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

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