tablecloth
Americannoun
-
tablecloths
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of tablecloth
late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at table, cloth
Explanation
That big piece of fabric you use to cover your kitchen table is a tablecloth. There's nothing like a tablecloth and a couple of candles to make an ordinary meal feel just a little bit fancy. People have used tablecloths for centuries, both as a decoration and to protect the table. The most common type is made from linen or cotton, but there's a nearly endless variety. History shows examples of embroidered, velvet, silk, and lace tablecloths. These days you'll also find waterproof, plastic-coated tablecloths. If you really want to impress your friends, you'll learn the famous magic trick that involves pulling a tablecloth off a table so fast you don't disturb the plates!
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:
From the street, he watched employees of his own restaurant wave a white tablecloth from a window more than 100 floors up.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
“I said, ‘I have to ask you, Mrs., this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for me, serving your bird on a white tablecloth with Christofle china.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
We had few white tablecloth restaurants in my hometown, but what we did have was Olive Garden, which I discovered after being introduced to ravioli from cans of Chef Boyardee.
From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2026
Arscott said the couple would see work created by the year-long programme, including a collaborative tablecloth made from materials gathered over months of sessions.
From BBC ● Feb. 26, 2026
She looked down at the disorderly little pile of handbag freight on the tablecloth.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
"Don't sit at home," said the entrepreneur, surrounded by embroidered dresses, scarves and tablecloths.
From Barron's ● Feb. 18, 2026
Pressed white tablecloths, old photos covering the walls, and kind, thoughtful customer service.
From Salon ● Jan. 13, 2026
Holly, 34, from Reading, hunted in charity shops and vintage fairs for foil decorations, satin baubles, tablecloths and china.
From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2025
There’s a market in Lagoa da Conceição where you can find women making incredible hand-crocheted pieces—dresses, bags, tablecloths, everything.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025
“I saw . . . beautiful white tablecloths and crystal on the tables, and food, people laughing and enjoying themselves and eating,” he said later.
From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
