sackcloth

American  

[sak-klawth, -kloth] / ˈsækˌklɔθ, -ˌklɒθ /

noun

1. sacking.

2. coarse cloth worn as a sign of mourning or penitence.

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idioms

1. in sackcloth and ashes, in a state of repentance or sorrow; contrite.

   She would be in sackcloth and ashes for days over every trifling error she made.

sackcloth British  

/ ˈsækˌklɒθ /

noun

1. coarse cloth such as sacking

2. garments made of such cloth, worn formerly to indicate mourning or penitence

3. a public display of extreme grief, remorse, or repentance

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Other Word Forms

• sackclothed
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of sackcloth

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at sack ¹, cloth

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sackcloth

I mention the obvious class privilege behind that moment not to cover myself in sackcloth and ashes, but on the way to a different observation.

From Salon ● May 31, 2026

One common answer notes that sackcloth and ashes have been since biblical times a sign of repentance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2026

It would be safe to amble down dark alleys or across parks, whether sporting a diamond-encrusted miniskirt and platinum noise-cancelling headphones or a sackcloth boiler suit and an air of high alert.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2021

The donning of sackcloth and ashes for this once-mighty art form is an annual ritual.

From New York Times ● Sep. 5, 2016

A piece of sackcloth covered the bottom half of the window where several panes were missing, the result of a rock hurled from the street one night long ago.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

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