upholstery
Americannoun
-
the materials used to cushion and cover furniture.
-
the business of an upholsterer.
noun
-
the padding, covering, etc, of a piece of furniture
-
the business, work, or craft of upholstering
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of upholstery
First recorded in 1640–50; upholster(er) + -y 3
Explanation
Upholstery refers to the covering on furniture. Without upholstery, your couch wouldn't be very comfortable. This is a word specific to furniture, especially the chairs and couches found in most living rooms. Upholstery consists of the material — including springs, padding, and fabric — that cover the bare bones of the furniture you sit on. If you have ever spilled a drink on a couch, someone might have yelled, "Watch out! You'll stain the upholstery!" People who put the upholstery on furniture are called upholsterers.
Vocabulary lists containing upholstery
"The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury
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After the Shot Drops
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The Red Pyramid
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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.
The residential market has been dominated for years by cream-colored upholstery, but retailers are now asking for more vibrant colors and patterns—a time-tested signal, she said, that more optimistic days are ahead.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026
Nearly all of the work was done in-house, including fabrication and a handmade interior produced through Vera’s own upholstery department, reflecting an emphasis on craftsmanship and historical continuity rather than cosmetic overhaul.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026
Jenner chose a similar shade for the upholstery in her home theater, revealing two rows of brown velvet chairs that she described as “yummy” in her caption.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 30, 2025
The Nappa leather upholstery comes in a choice of two colors, black and snow-white, what Mazda calls “Japanese premium.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025
Capricorn sank into its red upholstery with a deep sigh.
From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke
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.
