seersucker

American  

[seer-suhk-er] / ˈsɪərˌsʌk ər /

noun

1. a plainwoven cotton, rayon, or linen fabric: traditionally a striped cotton with alternate stripes crinkled in the weaving.

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seersucker British  

/ ˈsɪəˌsʌkə /

noun

1. a light cotton, linen, or other fabric with a crinkled surface and often striped

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Etymology

Origin of seersucker

1715–25; < Hindi sīrsakar < Persian shīr o shakar literally, milk and sugar

Explanation

Seersucker is a lightweight, summery fabric with a puckered surface and stripes. Southern writers love a pale blue and white seersucker suit in the summertime because it pairs well with sweet tea, Spanish moss, and croquet. Seersucker comes in many colors and is occasionally checkered, although it usually has stripes over a white background. British colonists in India were the first English-speakers to wear seersucker. They also anglicized the name from the Hindi sirsakar, which comes from the Persian šir o šakar, "striped cloth," or literally, "milk and sugar," referring to the cloth's alternation of smoothness and puckered surface.

Example Sentences

At the start of the 1970s, before the dollar’s link to gold was severed, an ounce might have gotten you an off-the-rack seersucker at J.C.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

In its latest tennis equipment collection, the L.A.-based streetwear brand adds a few more staple pieces — like a seersucker jacket and a fully equipped racquet tote — to its growing selection of tennis wear.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2025

She and her mother were dressed alike, including wearing coral-colored seersucker shorts.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 17, 2022

Under cloudless skies, ladies swanned about in colorful broad-brimmed hats and gentlemen donned seersucker suits, the trademark pageantry of the sport of kings.

From Salon • Dec. 10, 2021

He unbuttoned his seersucker jacket, as though he needed greater body freedom for the discussion.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles