a soft woolen fabric woven with a pattern of colorful and minutely detailed figures.
a shawl, scarf, tie, or other article made of this fabric.
a silk print simulating this fabric and weave.
Also called paisley print. a pattern resembling the design or figure on this fabric or material.
made of paisley.
a paisley shawl.
having the pattern of a paisley.
a pattern of small curving shapes with intricate detailing, usually printed in bright colours
a soft fine wool fabric traditionally printed with this pattern
a garment made of this fabric, esp a shawl popular in the late 19th century
(modifier) of or decorated with this pattern
a paisley scarf
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)
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
First recorded in 1825–35; named after Paisley
If your favorite scarf is printed with a pattern consisting of shapes that look like drops of water, you are a fan of paisley and its swirly curves and colors. This Scottish toponym, or place name, (from the town of Paisley, in Renfrewshire) denotes a fabric design that was massively manufactured there in the 19th century. A paisley design itself is Middle Eastern in origin though, having traveled to Europe in the colonial period and become so popular that import could not meet demand.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He leans slightly toward his longtime comedy partner, who provides a colorful counterpoint in a quilted zip-front jacket covered in a riot of paisley patterns.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2025
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
Just above the pocket handkerchief, a paisley foulard.
From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck
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.
