tablecloth

American  

[tey-buhl-klawth, -kloth] / ˈteɪ bəlˌklɔθ, -ˌklɒθ /

noun

tablecloths plural

1. a cloth for covering the top of a table, especially during a meal.

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tablecloth British  

/ ˈteɪbəlˌklɒθ /

noun

1. a cloth for covering the top of a table, esp during meals

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• tablecloths
  plural

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

A table with built-in grooves helps keep stemware steady and avoid spills on the tablecloth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 4, 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

A quilted tablecloth memorialized the address numbers of all the homes on the street.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2025

A row of cushions on the living room floor, draped in a bright flowered tablecloth.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng